Powder River Examiner -

Courtesy City of Gillette, WY

Winter weather has arrived, but you can still take precautions to prevent frozen and cracked pipes in your home or business!

The City Water Division has the following recommendations:

• Keep kitchen/bathroom cabinet doors open to allow warm air circulation.

• Find the farthest place where your water enters the house and open the faucet a crack. A very slow drip will keep water moving and reduce the chance that pipes will freeze. Place a bucket underneath to use the water again.

• Insulate pipes that may be vulnerable to the cold or have caused problems before.

• Consider installing "heat tape" or similar materials on exposed water pipes.

• If you have an attached garage, keep its door shut. Occasionally plumbing is routed through the unheated garages leaving it more vulnerable to winter's worst conditions.

• Know the location of your water shut-off valve and test it regularly.

• Disconnect, drain and store all garden hoses.

• Dewater your sprinkler system to avoid cracks and leaks. Turn off the water to the sprinkler system and use compressed air to blow out the remaining water.

• Drain outdoor faucets and exposed pipes.

And finally, if pipes do start to leak, turn the water off at the main valve to the home or business to prevent leaking water and damage to the building. The pipe will need to be repaired before turning the water back on.