Tulsa plumbers advise residents on steps to prevent costly winter pipe freezes скачать в хорошем качестве

Tulsa plumbers advise residents on steps to prevent costly winter pipe freezes

TULSA, OKLA (KTUL) — As winter weather approaches, local plumbers are urging homeowners to take preventative steps now to avoid frozen pipes and costly water damage. Kelsey Dunlop, co-owner of Tulsa Plumbing and Remodeling, says one of the first things homeowners should do is prepare the exterior of their homes. Disconnecting outdoor hoses and covering exterior faucets can help prevent freezing. If faucet covers aren’t available, Dunlop says a towel secured with duct tape can work as a temporary solution. "Otherwise, a good old-fashioned towel and duct tape will do if that’s all you have access to right now," she said. Inside the home, exposed pipes should be insulated, especially those located in garages or crawl spaces. Foam pipe insulation is inexpensive and easy to install. "Get ahold of some of this foam insulation and put it on any exposed piping that you might have, whether it's in a crawl space or a garage. This is like putting a winter coat on your plumbing,” Dunlop said. Homeowners with crawl spaces, particularly in Tulsa and Midtown areas, should also cover open vents to block cold air from circulating under the house. Cardboard or foam board can be used if proper vent covers are not available. Maintaining indoor temperatures is another key factor. Dunlop recommends keeping thermostats set at 65 degrees or higher during the cold weather. Opening cabinet doors under sinks allows warm air to reach plumbing, helping reduce the risk of freezing. "The warm air in your house is going to help keep your plumbing warm as well," Dunlop said. Letting faucets drip slightly, both hot and cold, especially those on exterior sides of the home, can also help prevent pipes from freezing. Dunlop also encourages homeowners to locate their shutoff valves and water meters before winter weather arrives. Water meters can be shut off using a meter key. "You can shut off with a water meter key like this one. It has a special end that allows you to put it in your water meter and turn it closed. We recommend before the snow falls go ahead and mark the position of your water meter. It's a lot easier to find when there is not a foot of snow on top of it," she said. Finally, plumbers warn that thawing can happen at any time, even when temperatures remain near or below freezing. A frozen pipe that thaws unexpectedly can quickly lead to a major water leak. "Even a little bit of sun can make thawing happen, and if you have a pipe that’s been frozen and suddenly it thaws, it may turn into a gushing water situation," Dunlop said. Plumbers say taking these preventative steps now can help homeowners avoid thousands of dollars in water damage during the winter months. Read story: https://ktul.com/news/local/tulsa-plu... KTUL: http://www.ktul.com Facebook:   / newschannel8tulsa   Twitter:   / ktulnews   Instagram:   / newschannel8tulsa   TikTok:   / newschannel8tulsa   iOS KTUL App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/tulsas-... Android KTUL App: https://play.google.com/store/apps/de... iOS Weather App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ktul-wx... Android Weather App: https://play.google.com/store/apps/de... Have a news tip? Email us at news@ktul.com Have a video or photo you want to share? Upload it to https://ktul.com/chimein #Tulsa #oklahoma #abc #news #pipes #plumbing #coldweather #winterweather #ice #freeze #home #housetips #house #tips