LAKEPORT, Calif. – As the cold snap continues, Lakeport city officials are urging residents to take precautions to guard against the damage that freezing temperatures can do to water pipes.
Frozen and broken water pipes at homes and businesses are common with the sustained freezing temperatures, with the city offering several simple preventive measures that can be taken to prevent this from happening.
They include the following:
- Insulate exposed pipes.
- Use heat tape or a heat lamp on exposed pipes if power is available.
- Run water from a spigot no faster than a slow drip where you are worried that a pipe can freeze. Use a bucket to collect the water to keep an area from becoming a slip and fall hazard.
- Disconnect your water hose from an outdoor spigot. The water in the hose will freeze and the ice within the hose can accelerate the freezing of your pipes.
If a water pipe freezes – there will be no water – there is a possibility that when the pipe thaws that a leak will be found.
As the weather warms up please be aware of signs of water leaks around your house and your neighbors.
Know how to shut the water off to your home or business. If a water leak is discovered the water will need to be isolated so repairs can be made.
If you are unable to isolate the water you can call the city, 707-263-3578, to isolate the water to the property, Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Emergency calls can be made 24/7 at that number.