Sonora, Ca — With temperatures expected to dip into the 20´s over the next couple of nights, the Tuolumne Utilities District is urging residents to make sure that their homes are ready for the freezing conditions.
?Taking time now to do some preventative measures can save water customers money and inconvenience should their pipes freeze,? states Pete Kampa, T.U.D. General Manager. ?Last year when a freeze hit Tuolumne County, it cost T.U.D. over $22,000 just in overtime hours to respond to emergency water breaks from pipes bursting. This does not include the cost our customers incurred to fix broken pipes on their property.?
Outside faucets and pipes are most vulnerable in freezing weather. To prevent pipes from freezing, T.U.D. advises customers to wrap them with insulating material. Cover them with plastic and then secure with tape, string, or wire. Also, remember to disconnect garden hoses.
It is also good to know where the main water shut-off valve is located. If a pipe breaks, you can stop excessive water loss and flooding by turning off your main shut-off valve.
Written by BJ Hansen
This post was last modified on 01/31/2009 1:39 pm