January 29, 2023
We are expecting a lot of cold weather this week. As freezing temperatures move in, please take proper precautions in the Winter weather to protect yourself and your home.
Make sure you have some drinking water and extra gallons of water pulled in reserve and be prepared for possible power or water outages. It is good to have other heat sources besides electric.
**Please note: If the Okmulgee County Court House closes due to hazardous driving conditions, our Business Office will also be closed. Do not travel unless you absolutely have to. **
One item we want to discuss is the proper procedure of Dripping Faucets in freezing temperatures. If the temperature falls to 32 degrees or lower, your pipes are likely to freeze if your home is not well heated or insulated.
First and foremost, you only need to drip your faucets if your home is vulnerable to the freezing temperatures. If you have any plumbing that would be exposed to the cold weather. Homes and areas more susceptible would be: Garages, modular homes without good skirting and insulation and do not have heat tape around plumbing or homes with a crawl space that is too drafty and not well insulated.
If your home is on a slab foundation and or your home is tightly insulated under a crawl space and your home is well heated, you should not have to drip your faucets. Just opening your cabinets to let the heat flow under them should be sufficient.
Second, you should know how to properly drip your faucets when needed. The point is “dripping”. This does not mean you have to have a running stream of water. Some people just start a small stream that is not necessary and this could cause your water bill to increase substantially. What you want is for the water to stay moving. Some people will drip their faucets when the temperature is really cold, but above freezing when it wasn’t necessary. Be aware of when and when not to drip your faucets and know when it is neccesary for your type of home.
We have included a link to a video that gives a good example of how to drip.
HOW TO PROTECT YOUR PLUMBING.
Another item we want to address is your meter can. Make sure that your meter can is secured with a lid. If the meter can is exposed to the cold, your meter could freeze and burst causing you an unnecessary water outage at the worst possible time.
Please call the office and request a meter lid if you need one. Please report any busted meter cans as well. We will get a lid to you or repair your meter can as soon as possible.
If the meter is exposed please cover it immediately with something like a piece of plywood and report this to our office 918.756.8910
Tips: How to Prevent Frozen Pipes
Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.
Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals up out of the reach of children.
When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water “drip” from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Dripping water through the pipe helps prevent pipes from freezing.
Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night. By temporarily suspending the use of lower nighttime temperatures, you may incur a higher heating bill, but you can prevent a much more costly repair job if pipes freeze and burst.
If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55° F.
How to Thaw Frozen Pipes
If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, suspect a frozen pipe. Likely places for frozen pipes include against exterior walls or where your water service enters your home through the foundation.
Keep the faucet open. As you treat the frozen pipe and the frozen area begins to melt, water will begin to flow through the frozen area. Running water through the pipe will help melt ice in the pipe.
Apply heat to the section of pipe using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, a portable space heater (kept away from flammable materials), or by wrapping pipes with towels soaked in hot water. Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove, or other open flame device.
Apply heat until full water pressure is restored. If you are unable to locate the frozen area, if the frozen area is not accessible, or if you can not thaw the pipe, call a licensed plumber.
Check all other faucets in your home to find out if you have additional frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes, others may freeze, too.
Invest in some heat tape for exposed pipes.
