Cold weather people Help please?

Question

I'm originally from arizona so I am kind of lost. I'm in oklahoma now and we are supposed to get an ice storm starting tomorrow. I own my own home so I have to take care of making sure things are done. What do I need to know so I don't ruin pipes or anything with this storm coming through. Any ideas on any aspect of this would be greatly appreciated as I'm sure I've forgotten something.
thank you

Answer 1

Well, you definitely want to make sure that your windows and doors are insulated, and that your furnace is working! Also, make sure you have rock salt for your walkway/driveway/porch. You might want to have gas in your car already, because when a tank is empty or near empty in extremely cold tempuratures, they tend to freeze over, making it near impossible to gas up and go if necessary. The meteorologists will tell you that unless it's absolutely necessary, do not attempt to go out. And, let's see.... ice storms almost always guarantee a power outage of some kind, so stock up on bottled water, batteries, and perishables. Invest in a couple of good space heaters for just in case, but be extremely careful with those things, because if left unattended, it will cause a fire. Keep a portable radio on hand, as well as candles, and plenty of warm blankets. Also, invest in thermal wear to put on under your clothes for just in case. I think that about covers it. Hope this helps; keep warm! Oh yeah, almost forgot: keep your water trickling so the pipes don't burst.

Answer 2

Ice won't be your problem as much as the cold. If you have any outside hose bibs make sure that they are shut off from the inside, there should be a stop (valve), and open a bit on the outside. If your home is built on a slab, you are probably O.K. If on a basement, just make sure it is warm to above freezing. If on a crawlspace or similar, it could get cold enough there to freeze pipes. Be careful of that. (If your floors aren't insulated, it probably won't be a problem, the heat from your living spaces will help) Block off any crawl space vents or openings.

For the ice, have some rock salt or calcium chloride handy as a sidewalk de-icer. If your car is parked outside, have an ice scraper ready. You can get them all at any hardware store. Be careful driving on ice!!! Very tricky!! Also, leahtmontoya is right about power outages. Do stock up, and if you have a back-up heat source, such as a kerosene heater, check to see if it works.

I'm a livelong resident of Michigan. This is all part of an annual routine.

As sad, miserable annual routine. *sigh*

Answer 3

Having an ice storm does not necessarily mean your pipes will freeze.
Ice storms generally do not occur at really low temperaturesI
f the temperature really drops & you're concerned .
The tips on letting taps drip ( esp hot water ) & leaving Sink cabinet doors open can be effective.
Have thawed frozen supply by putting a small lamp in sink cabinet
Pipes you might be concerned about would be in an unheated basement or the ones that feed plumbing on outside walls.
It has to get very cold for an extended period before you have to worry.

Answer 4

Okay an ice storm usually means power outages, so have batteries for flash lights wood for fires places, and food that can be prepared with out electic or fire. As far as out side pipes turn off your water to your outside facets, then run them until they don't run anymore. Have blankets ready and if worse comes to worse have tire spikes( already in tires, have to change them) for your car or chains(auto store) if you have to go any where, also you could carry kitty litter or saftey salt if your stranded any where when you leave. Always carry a cell phone and know emergency response phone numbers. Also use map quest to get directions, plan your routes, tell people where you are going. Good luck dress warn no, exposed skin

Answer 5

Wrap all pipes with insulation that are close to the weather under your house especially if you have craw space. Check your Outside faucets if they are the freeze proof type make sure you disconnect your hoses from then, they can't drain if hose is attached. Be sure storm windows are closed.
Also make sure gutters are clean. you don't want trash clogging them up.so they won't drain.If you are on well make sure its insulated and pipes around it. Some people let their kitchen sink faucet run a Small trickle at night to keep it from freezing.
Hope this helps

Answer 6

I live in Central Upstate NY. When the wind chill nears -30 below I leace my sink water running just a trickle,this helps from freezing the pipes. Another trick is to open the doors under the sinks in the kitchen and bathroom. Good luck things will be fine.

Answer 7

have you ever heard of heat wrap . it's like a electical extension cord . plug it in and it has a thermostat to keep the pipes from freezing . I also saw some thing at ace hard ware store that goes on your water pipe when it gets cold enough to freeze it will sound an alarm to remind you to turn the water on . another good thing is to wrap the pipes with insulation

Answer 8

Leave the cupboard doors open under your sink in the kitchen and bath (the heat from in your home will help keep them from freezing). Be sure you have covered your outside faucets. If you don't have the styrofoam cover made for that, tape a small cardboard box over them, or wrap them with a towel. Good luck and stay warm!

Answer 9

Leave the water running inside at a slow trickle.
I grew up in Ohio and thats what we did. The only time our pipes ever froze was durring the blizzard of "77-78"

Answer 10

HEY OKIE. THE QUICK FIX IS TO SHUT OFF THE WATER AT THE METER, THEN OPEN A OUTSIDE HOSE BIB TO RELIEVE THE PRESSURE WHICH CAUSES THE WATER TO EXPAND WHEN FREEZING. THE IMMEDIATE FEAR IS THE PIPES FREEZING AT NITE TIME.