September 20, 2023 |
Photo – Prevent Frozen Pipes Poster – Courtesy Nat’l Rural Water Association
With sub-zero temperatures around the corner, Rawlins officials urge residents to take precautions to prevent frozen pipes.
Winter is drawing closer. When temperatures fall below zero, unprotected plumbing becomes susceptible to freezing and bursting. Rawlins Utilities Supervisor Mike O’Brian urged people to ensure their pipes and water meters are properly protected before winter sets in.
O’Brian said to pay special attention to the insulation on pipes within crawl spaces or other outdoor-adjacent areas. The utilities supervisor said not to forget to insulate your water meter as well. O’Brian said to call the Rawlins Public Works Department if you need help finding your water meter.
O’Brian said the most effective way to prevent frozen pipes is to use heat tape. Homeowners, he added, should check to make sure the heat tape is functioning properly before temperatures fall below freezing.
Heat tape can be purchased from nearly any local hardware store.
O’Brian said if temperatures dip too low, heat tape may not be enough to prevent pipes from freezing. In the case of extremely cold weather, the Rawlins utilities supervisor suggested people turn on their taps and let the water flow to avoid frozen pipes. O’Brian said your water bill will certainly be lower than the cost of a plumber.
O’Brian said not to use a space heater to keep the pipes in your crawl space warm. O’Brian said unsupervised heaters are a major fire risk.
O’Brian said residents should not let past winter experiences prevent them from protecting their pipes. He said even relatively sheltered pipes are still in danger from the constantly shifting wind.
O’Brian said to call the Rawlins Public Works Department at 328-4599 if you have any questions about your meter location or the proper way to insulate your pipes this winter.
