Absolute Painting Blog

Three climbers are asccending a sheer rock face – a father, his daughter and his son. The three are in high spirits – until their climbing equipment malfunctions, and they’re left hanging over a several-hundred-foot drop, with their last anchor about to pull out of the rock face and plunge them all to their death. Knowing that they’re all doomed, the father sacrifices himself, cutting his harness free of the rope so that his children can be saved. Before plunging down towards the ground, he gives them a tearful goodbye, not even hesitating to give his own life to save the lives of his children.

This emotional scene is the beginning of “Vertical Limit”, a 2000 action movie that pits several people up against extreme weather conditions on an unforgiving mountain. The characters in the movie have to go up against avalanches, the betrayal of other characters, faulty explosives and extreme cold.

If you live in an area that has a temperate climate, you may not have ever experienced extremely cold weather. If you live in some of the northern areas of the United States, you already have a healthy respect for how dangerous cold weather can be. Here are a few tips to help you to stay safe in extremely cold weather.

Dress in Layers

Though it may be tempting to simply wear a warm jacket, you will be best protected against the cold weather if you dress in layers. Your bottom layer should be an insulating layer that also has the ability to wick sweat away from your skin. Polypropylene is a great bottom layer for extreme weather conditions. Next should be wool, which should be covered by a fleece layer. Your top layer should be a waterproof jacket or other covering. By dressing in layers, you will be able to trap more heat against your body, and stay warmer in cold weather.

Know the Warning Signs

There are a few warning signs that will let you know that it’s time to get out of the cold. A few of these are:

• Pale skin
• Skin that’s waxy and cool to the touch
• Rapid breathing
• Excessively flushed face, hands, etc
• Dizziness
• Feeling sleepy or lethargic
• Tingling or numbness in extremeties

If you experience any of these symptoms, or if a member of your family is having difficulty, get out of the cold immediately! Frostbite, hypothermia and other health problems may cause long-lasting permanent damage to the human body.

Keeping Your Home Warm and Cozy

During periods of extremely cold weather, it beccomes all the more important to maintain the temperature inside of your home. This may involve installing insulation, shrink-wrapping windows, replacing glass doors and other renovations (which are usually best done in the warm summer months). If wintertime comes and you discover that your home isn’t cold-proof, there are still things you can do to keep your house warm. Keep your heat turned on, but not high enough that it will overload your electrical circuits. Use cloth or insulating tape to help reduce drafts around doors, windows or other areas.

Have you always wanted a beautifully decorated home but seem to have a hard time giving it just the right touches to make it that way? Well, decorating your home doesn’t have to be a difficult task. By implementing certain tips you can turn your ordinary home into the home of your dreams!

Although decorating tips will vary from room to room, there are a few tips that should be used in every room of your home. These things must be done before the main decorating begins.

Remove excess clutter I know that this may sound elementary, but excess clutter can really take a way from a home’s beauty. What is considered clutter? Of course, any junk laying around that is not benefiting anything, old newspapers, broken or unsightly furniture, stray items from other rooms, and decorations.

Decorations? Yes. The wrong decorations or too many decorations can become clutter. Pick out a few of your favorites and get rid of the rest. If you’re a collector, than more than likely you have clutter. Ask yourself, “Is this collection really benefiting me?” If the answer is no, then get rid of it.

If you just can’t part with the collection, consider designating one room to be your collection room. I went to someone’s house about a few months ago and the lady who lived there had about 200-300 pairs of salt and pepper shakers. It didn’t really benefit her, but it was a hobby and it made her happy. So she took the two rooms of her home that she used least and set her collection up in them. The key is to display them in an orderly fashion. Use bookcases or curios to help contain the items and eliminate a cluttered look.

Once the clutter is gone, many people will already begin to see a dramatic difference in their home.You will be amazed at how you will instantly become more relaxed and you’ll be eager to continue to the next step.

Give Each Room A Thorough Cleaning Now that the clutter is gone, cleaning will be easier and maybe even enjoyable. Go through each room and clean them completely and thoroughly. Vacuum the carpets, dust and shine the furniture, wash curtains, blinds and windows and even wipe down walls. You may find more clutter in this process in which you should get rid of promptly.

With everything sparkling clean and clutter free, you will now have a new perspective on your home. What was once the old drab thing that caused you despair is now a bright happy place that is full of potential.

Find a Focal Point Now it’s almost time to decorate but first choose a point of focus in each room. This will be the main place that you focus on during your decorating and all the other decorating in the room will complement this area.

The focal point is usually the first area that you see as you enter the room. This should display your best picture, your most lovely figurine, etc. The focal point is what sets the mood for the room and if it’s the first thing that you see, it will obviously be the first impression of the room.

If you feel that the first thing that you see would not make a good focal point, such as a coat closet, then pick another area that you feel would make a great focal point and start here. A fireplace, a bay window, or a wide empty wall are some examples of some good focal points.

Let’s Start Decorating!

Now it’s time to begin the fun part. However, decorating is still a lot of work and requires a lot of planning.

Themes

Each room should have a theme to guide you. Whether it’s a color scheme, a certain style, (such as Victorian or contemporary), or a fun upbeat theme. Walls Once the theme is chosen, you should decide if you will paint or wallpaper your walls. New paint and/or wallpaper makes everything look fresh. If you have a large room, darker hues tend to draw the room in more and give it a cozy feel. If the room is small, use lighter colors that will reflect more light giving the illusion of a larger room. If you choose to hang wallpaper, add stripes for height, florals for romance or femininity, or solids or marbles if you don’t want to paint but want a painted look. If you have an entire wall that you think would make a great focal point, consider a wall mural. When hanging wall decor, be careful not to over-clutter walls. Hang pictures at eye level. TIP: If you live in an older home or a mobile home, your walls may not be completely straight due to settling. Avoid wallpaper with stripes in this case as uneven walls will become more noticeable.

Windows

If you are lucky enough to have decorative windows such as an octagon or a large bay window, you may just want to leave these alone since they are beautiful on their own. However, adding real or artificial greenery around these windows will really add to the beauty. Not only will real plants flourish in the light, but artificial plants will also look stunning and natural in the sunlight. Decorative seating such as a Queen Anne settee or a wicker rocking chair (depending on what theme you choose) may add to the scene. This may also be a spot where you may want to add a magazine rack or table for reading by day and a pole lamp for night reading. When considering windows where you’ll be adding curtains, keep each room’s theme and colors in mind. Choose lace or ruffles for femininity or romance; this works best in bathrooms and bedrooms. Drapes are more likely to be found in living rooms, dens, and home offices. Valances are great for kitchens and children’s rooms. If you don’t want to spend money on buying new curtains, you may be able completely transform the look of ordinary curtains by just adding a few decorative touches. Floral garland or ivy may be draped along the tops of curtains, mini bouquets can be assembled and hot glued to ordinary tie backs, (this is lovely and instantly transforming), tassels or scrolled metal may also replace ordinary tie backs. TIP: If you have a room without windows, hang several mirrors and use mirrored accessories. This helps reflect light in the room without adding extra lights and gives the room depth. Use lots of mirrors in small rooms even if they have windows to give the illusion of a larger room.

Floors

When it comes to floors, a little can go a long way. Make sure unnecessary items (even decorative items) are limited or removed. Decorative rugs can be a life saver in every room and can instantly brighten things up. Large tapestry looking rugs are lovely in living rooms, dining rooms, and hardwood floors. Rugs in front of the sink and appliances in the kitchen can serve a dual purpose. They help to keep the rest of your floor cleaner and can be purchased in a variety of colors and patterns to complement your theme. The same goes for the bathrooms. When purchasing rugs, it’s better to spend a little extra for better quality. Rugs will always have traffic and if you buy low quality you’ll find yourself replacing often which gets expensive in the long run. Also, the higher quality will look nice longer. Just by keeping flooring well cleaned will make a world of difference to the room. Go beyond vacuuming, sweeping and mopping. Shampoo carpets and rugs regularly (about every three months, more or less due to traffic), clean corners and nooks, shine and polish linoleum, and thoroughly clean tile grout. You’ll be amazed how your room will sparkle!

Decorating Tips Room By Room

Living Rooms and Dens Do you have a lot of family photos that you want to display but limited room? Purchase bookcases and display photos in them. Add decorative figurines or florals among the pictures for a polished look.

Bathrooms

Pay attention to shower curtains, rugs, and window treatments. Add candles to master baths, and fun decorative accessories to children’s baths.

Dining Room

This is the room for elegance! Pick a rich wallpaper and fancy light or chandelier. Display a floral centerpiece.

Kitchen

Concentrate on the cabinets! If they don’t reach the ceiling, add decorative vases, baskets, or China on the roof of the cabinets or drape floral garland or ivy around the top. If your cabinets reach the ceiling, concentrate on the countertops or appliances. Display decorative canisters, or pretty stove burner covers.

Bedroom

Add decor that will enhance relaxation and romance. Place candles, misting fountains, mirrors and theme related comfortable bedding.

Children’s Bedrooms

Display their best toys and store others out of sight. Set the theme for fun by adding wall paper cut-outs and displaying their name in wood letters. For something really original, let your children help paint by placing their hands in paint and stamping the walls!

Advanced Decorating

If you implement the tips above and just can’t get the right look or you just don’t want to deal with all the hassle but still desire a beautiful interior, contact us to see why our Portland Oregon Interior Designer is right for you.

When it comes to reducing repair and replacement costs for your property, there is no substitute for keeping up with your monthly maintenance. Many homeowners are familiar with the high costs that can accrue when something goes wrong unexpectedly; performing monthly maintenance is a good way to keep tabs on what’s wearing quickly, as well as keep the facets of your home that are working well in good shape. There are many things in your home that need monthly attention. By taking care of these, you’re likely to avoid some big headaches (not to mention service bills) in the future.

Monthly Home Maintenance

Fire Safety Devices

Small monthly maintenance for your safety devices is important, and doesn’t take much time, at all. Even a small amount of fire damage can be extremely costly to repair, so keeping up with your monthly maintenance on these devices is an investment in your property as well as in your family’s safety!

Fire extinguisher

Check that it’s fully charged and recharge if necessary, especially if you have used it recently. Be sure you have an adequate number located in kitchen, garage, and basement. Fire extinguisher placement is also important. If it is in an inconvenient spot, it won’t be much use when it is needed.

Smoke detector

Another one of those items that is easy to forget about, but can play a huge role in an emergency. Test your battery every month and replace if necessary.

Kitchen and Bathroom Monthly Maintenance

Sink and shower drains often go unnoticed until there’s a problem. Taking these steps every month will help your kitchen and bathroom drains running smoothly. Sink and tub stoppers – Flush with hot water and baking soda.

Garbage disposal

Check safety valve and steam pressure gauge and replace if necessary; check water level gauge and add water if needed; drain water until clear of sediment.

HVAC Monthly Maintenance

Heating and cooling are two of the most pleasant of modern conveniences. Unfortunately, when something goes wrong, they can be very costly to repair (and very uncomfortable to go without). Make sure your monthly home maintenance includes a quick check of your heating and cooling systems!

Steam heating system

Test relief valve and replace if necessary; check pressure gauge and drain expansion tank if necessary.

Forced warm air heating system

Check blankets and replace if needed; check air flow; clean or repair unit if necessary.

Evaporative air conditioner

Clean or replace air filter; clean condenser or evaporator coils and condensate drain; remove snow and/or debris from outdoor portion of unit.

Heat pump

Clean or replace filter; clean condenser and evaporator coils and condensate drain.

Though monthly maintenance is something that some homeowners might let slide, doing so can make your home less efficient and can lead to higher bills or even safety issues. By taking care of these things once a month, your home will run more smoothly and repairs will be less frequent (and less surprising, too).

source: http://www.servicemagic.com/

Properly preparing your home for cold weather can save energy, help keep your winter energy bills under control, and keep you and your family warm when temperatures drop.

Heating

• Install a programmable thermostat and set it to lower the temperature at night and whenever the house is unoccupied. Lowering your thermostat by 10 degrees at night can reduce your heating bill by 10 to 20 percent.
• Make sure your programmable thermostat is:
  • Installed properly.
  • Programmed appropriately – a programmable thermostat only saves energy when it is programmed properly.
  • Not located in an unheated space, a poorly-sealed or seldom-used room, or in direct sunlight near a heat source. The thermostat should be able to sense the average temperature in your home. If it is not in the right place, contact a heating and air conditioning professional about having it moved.
• Lower your thermostat and wear socks and a sweater in doors. Lowering the thermostat by just one degree Fahrenheit can reduce energy use by 3 percent.
• If you have a forced air furnace, inspect your filters at the beginning of the heating season and monthly during the season. Clean or replace them if there is significant dust build up.
• Get a humidifier to add moisture to the air. The air inside your home can be very dry, especially in New Mexico. Moister air feels warmer, so a humidifier can help you feel comfortable even though your thermostat is set at a lower temperature.
• Install foam insulation gaskets behind electric outlets and switch plate covers.

Windows and doors

• Keep doors and windows closed as much as possible. That includes overhead doors on attached garages.
• Install do-it-yourself plastic-film storm windows. Find them at a local hardware store.
• Seal off unused rooms (as long as the room is less than 100 square feet and isn’t the room where the thermostat is located). Close the floor or wall registers and return air vents, and keep the doors closed.
• Open south-facing window curtains, drapes and blinds during the day. Close window coverings at night to keep the heat in.
• Weatherstrip and caulk windows. Check window frames for cracks and fill them with caulk that contains silicon. Putty-like “rope caulk” can help seal large cracks and save you up to 5 percent on your energy bill.
• Check all exterior doors for air leaks and weatherstrip and caulk as needed. A one-eighth-inch gap around a door is equivalent to a 6-inch-square hole in the side of your house and causes a lot of energy loss. You can check doors two ways:
  • Have someone stand on the other side of the door and shine a flashlight around the door’s perimeter. If you can see light through the cracks, your door needs sealing.
  • Hold a piece of paper between the door and the frame and shut the door. If you can pull the paper out without tearing it, you should weatherstrip around the door.

Water heater

• Make sure the water heater is set no higher than 125 degrees.
• Drain off a bucket of hot water from your water heater annually to remove sediment that will interfere with the heater’s long-term use.
• Install a water heater blanket if your water heater is older than 5 years.
• Insulate the pipes around the water heater with inexpensive, easy-to-install pipe insulation. This is particularly helpful if the water heater is in an unheated space.

Fireplace

• Never use a traditional fireplace for supplemental heating. A fireplace sucks heated air out of your home to fuel the fire and exhausts it through the chimney, and then your furnace has to turn on to replace that warm air.
• Close the fireplace damper and seal the opening shut when not in use.

More ways to save on your winter utility bill

• Get your furnace inspected and tuned up by a heating professional.
• Have your home properly insulated and weatherized.
• Measure your attic insulation. If you have less than 7 inches of insulation or if it is less than R-38 (the current requirement for new homes), consider upgrading your insulation with spray-foam or batt insulation.
  • Look for places where air may be leaking through the insulation – you will be able to tell because there will be dirty spots or holes in the existing insulation. Seal the holes by stapling a piece of plastic sheeting over them and caulking around the edges of the plastic.
  • Additional insulation can be blown into walls, and there are even options for insulating flat roofs, crawl spaces and floors.
• Replace any broken window panes and repair any large holes in attics, crawlspaces, or basements.
• Seal exposed ductwork. Ductwork sealing can help your system run more efficiently, and also ensures that heated or cooled air gets to where you want it to go. Instead of duct tape, use mastic (available at hardware stores) to seal ductwork. Mastic provides a better seal and lasts longer.
• Replace older or loose fireplace dampers. Have a sheet-metal insert installed, which will prevent some heat loss and help reflect heat from the fireplace back into the room.
• Consider converting your traditional fireplace to a more efficient pellet or wood-burning stove. Determine your payback time before investing.

Special tips for holiday lighting

• Dispose of older incandescent lights and buy new LED holiday lights. Older strings of incandescent holiday lights can use up to 99 percent more energy than new LED light strings. Plus, the wire insulation on older lights can erode and pose a fire hazard.
• Turn on your holiday lights for no more than 6 hours per day (to keep energy use down). Purchase a lighting timer to turn lights on and off automatically.
• Always unplug holiday lights before going to bed or leaving the house.
• Don’t overload your circuits. Check your fuse box or circuit breaker panel to see how much load you can add to your house, stay within these limits to reduce the risk of fire.
• Take lights down promptly after the holidays.

The comforts of a cozy, warm home in winter can help you forget about the short days and the multiple layers of clothing. Following a maintenance schedule throughout the year will certainly benefit you in the winter, but be aware of the hazards the cold conditions can bring to your home. These guidelines can help you weather the winter season with a well-maintained home.

Be Energy Efficient

Since your heating system will be running constantly throughout the winter, remember to change out your HVAC filters every month. Inspect the insulation in your attic and crawlspace. Warm air rises and leaves the house through the roof, so you should focus on insulation in your ceilings. Seal areas around recessed lights, the attic hatch, and plumbing vents that may be allowing warm air from the living space below to enter the attic. Proper attic ventilation, adequate attic insulation, and a tight air barrier between the attic and the interior of the house will work together to prevent ice dams.

If you don’t have double-paned windows, remove the screens and install storm windows to ensure that the heat stays in and the cold stays out. If you’re on a tight budget, pick up an inexpensive plastic-film sheet kit from your local hardware store. These will only last one season, but they do help with energy efficiency and are able to halt the cold flow of winter drafts. If you have a fireplace, burning firewood is another way to save energy costs. When you use the fireplace, reduce heat loss by opening dampers in the bottom of the firebox (if provided) or open the nearest window slightly – about an inch – and close doors leading into the room. That will prevent the fire from drawing warm air out of the rest of the house and replacing it with cold air. And remember to store your firewood in a dry place at least 30 feet from your home to avoid a fire hazard.

Protect Your Pipes

Pipes located in attics, crawl spaces, basements, and near outer walls can be susceptible to freezing in extreme temperatures. When the forecast calls for unusually cold temperatures, let water drip from hot and cold faucets overnight. Also try keeping cabinet doors open to allow warm air to circulate in places like below sinks. If you open the cabinet doors, be sure to remove anything inside the cabinets that may pose a safety to hazard to children, such as household cleaners. For exposed pipes in your attic, basement, or crawlspaces, add extra insulation around them. View the tips to avoid frozen pipes for more information.

Be Ready For An Emergency

Blackouts and snow-ins can occur during winter months, so take a moment to prepare yourself and your family for such emergencies. Having the following items ready will help you make it through safely.

• Flashlights
• Bottled water
• Nonperishable food items
• Blankets
• Phone numbers for your utility companies
• Battery backup to protect your computer and other important electronic equipment
• First-aid kit
• If you have an emergency generator, make sure you have gasoline stored and available to fuel it.

Holiday Decorations

‘Tis the season to be festive, but remember to stay safe with your holiday decorations. Inspect the wires of your light display before switching them on: They may be frayed and present an electrical fire hazard. Same goes for the Christmas tree inside; always check the light strands for any sign of wear-and-tear from being in storage. If you have a real Christmas tree, keep it watered, since dry trees catch fire easier. Check with your local municipality for instructions on how to dispose of the tree once the new year arrives.

Winter Yard Care

Even with the cold weather conditions, your yard still needs to be maintained. Make sure tree and shrub branches are well away from the house and windows. Icy conditions can cause branches to break and damage your home. Walk around your home and survey the roof to see if any ice dams have formed; call a contractor if you suspect this is the case. As you walk around your house, check the foundation for small cracks or openings where mice or other pests can tunnel in. Winter is when they seek the warmth of your house, so seal up any possible entrances. While you’re outside, clear snow off gas meters and away from basement windows and your dryer exhaust vent.

http://www.absolutepainters.com

Short of printing your own money, weatherization and insulation are the best bets for putting cash in your wallet — and they’re a lot safer in the long run than counterfeiting. Weatherization, the plugging and sealing of air leaks, can save you 25 to 40 percent on your heating and cooling bills.

The average unweatherized house in the United States leaks air at a rate equivalent to a four-foot-square hole in the wall. Weatherization is the first place for the average home owner to concentrate for the most benefit with the least effort and expense. You’ll save money and help the planet!

The following suggestions are adapted with permission from Homemade Money by Richard Heede and the Rocky Mountain Institute.

1. In the attic
   • Weatherstrip and insulate the attic access door.
   • Seal around the outside of the chimney with metal flashing and high-temperature sealant such as flue caulk or muffler cement.
   • Seal around plumbing vents, both in the attic floor and in the roof. Check roof flashings (where the plumbing vent pipes pass through the roof) for signs of water leakage while you’re peering at the underside of the roof.
   • Seal the top of interior walls in pre-1950s houses anywhere you can peer down into the wall cavity. Use strips of rigid insulation, and seal the edges with silicone caulk.
   • Stuff fiberglass insulation around electrical wire penetrations at the top of interior walls and where wires enter ceiling fixtures. (But not around recessed light fixtures unless the fixtures are rated IC [for insulation contact]). Fluorescent fixtures usually are safe to insulate around; they don’t produce a lot of waste heat. Incandescent fixtures should be upgraded to compact fluorescent bulbs).
   • Staple Radiant Barrier under the rafters or joists to reflect 97 percent of the radiant heat that strikes it
   • Seal all other holes between the heated space and the attic.
2. In the basement or crawlspace
   • Seal and insulate around any accessible heating or A/C ducts. This applies to both the basement and attic.
   • Seal any holes that allow air to rise from the basement or crawlspace directly into the living space above. Check around plumbing, chimney, and electrical penetrations.
   • Caulk around basement window frames.
   • Seal holes in the foundation wall as well as gaps between the concrete foundation and the wood structure (at the sill plate and rim joist). Use caulk or foam sealant.
3. Around windows and doors
   • Replace broken glass and reputty loose panes.
   • Install new sash locks, or adjust existing ones on double-hung and slider windows.
   • Caulk on the inside around window and door trim, sealing where the frame meets the wall and all other window woodwork joints.
   • Weatherstrip exterior doors, including those to garages and porches.
   • For windows that will be opened, use weatherstripping or temporary flexible rope caulk.
4. In living areas
   • Install foam-rubber gaskets behind electrical outlet and switch trim plates on exterior walls.
   • Use paintable or colored caulk around bath and kitchen cabinets on exterior walls.
   • Caulk any cracks where the floor meets exterior walls. Such cracks are often hidden behind the edge of the carpet.
   • Got a fireplace? If you don’t use it, plug the flue with an inflatable plug, or install a rigid insulation plug. If you do use it, make sure the damper closes tightly when a fire isn’t burning.
5. Around the exterior
   • Caulk around all penetrations where electrical, telephone, cable, gas, dryer vents, and water lines enter the house. You may want to stuff some fiberglass insulation in the larger gaps first.
   • Caulk around all sides of window and door frames to keep out the rain and reduce air infiltration.
   • Check your dryer exhaust vent hood. If it’s missing the flapper, or it doesn’t close by itself, replace it with a tight-fitting model.
   • Remove window air conditioners in winter; or at least cover them tightly, and make rigid insulation covers for the flimsy side panels.
   • Caulk cracks in overhangs of cantilevered bays and chimney chases.

     http://www.absolutepainters.com 

Why pipe freezing is a problem

Water has a unique property in that it expands as it freezes. This expansion puts tremendous pressure on whatever is containing it, including metal or plastic pipes. No matter the “strength” of a container, expanding water can cause pipes to break. Pipes that freeze most frequently are those that are exposed to severe cold, like outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines, water sprinkler lines, and water supply pipes in unheated interior areas like basements and crawl spaces, attics, garages, or kitchen cabinets. Also, pipes that run against exterior walls that have little or no insulation are also subject to freezing.

Pipe freezing is a particular problem in warmer climates where pipes often run through uninsulated or underinsulated attics or crawl spaces.

Preventing Frozen Pipes

Before the onset of cold weather, prevent freezing of these water supply lines and pipes by following these recommendations:

• Drain water from swimming pool and water sprinkler supply lines following manufacturer’s or installer’s directions. Do not put antifreeze in these lines unless directed. Antifreeze is environmentally harmful, and is dangerous to humans, pets, wildlife, and landscaping.
• Remove, drain, and store hoses used outdoors. Close inside valves supplying outdoor hose bibs. Open the outside hose bibs to allow water to drain. Keep the outside valve open so that any water remaining in the pipe can expand without causing the pipe to break.
• Check around the home for other areas where water supply lines are located and are in unheated areas. Look in the basement, crawl space, attic, garage, and under kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Both hot and cold water pipes in these areas should be insulated. A hot water supply line can freeze just as a cold water supply line can freeze if the water is not running through the pipe and the water temperature in the pipe is cold.
• Consider installing specific products made to insulate water pipes like a “pipe sleeve” or installing UL-listed “heat tape,” “heat cable,” or similar materials on exposed water pipes. Many products are available at your local building supplies retailer. Pipes should be carefully wrapped, with ends butted thightly and joints wrapped with tape. Follow manufacturer’s recommendations for installing and using these products. Newspaper can provide some degree of insulation and protection to exposed pipes – even ¼” of newspaper can provide significant protection in areas that usually do not have frequent or prolonged temperatures below freezing.

During Cold Weather, Take Preventive Action

• Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals up out of the reach of children.
• When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe – even at a trickle – helps prevent pipes from freezing because the temperature of the water running through it is above freezing.
• Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night. By temporarily suspending the use of lower nighttime temperatures, you may incur a higher heating bill, but you can prevent a much more costly repair job if pipes freeze and burst.
• If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55ºF.

To Thaw Frozen Pipes

If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, suspect a frozen pipe. Locate the suspected frozen area of the water pipe. Likely places include pipes running against exterior walls or where your water service enters your home through the foundation.

• Keep the faucet open. As you treat the frozen pipe and the frozen area begins to melt, water will begin to flow through the frozen area. Running water through the pipe will help melt more ice in the pipe.
• Apply heat to the section of pipe using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, and electric hair dryer, a portable space heater (kept away from flammable materials), or wrapping pipes with towels soaked in hot water. Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove, or other open flame device. A blowtorch can make water in a frozen pipe boil and cause the pipe to explode. All open flames in homes present a serious fire danger, as well as a severe risk of exposure to lethal carbon monoxide.
• Apply heat until full water pressure is restored. If you are unable to locate the frozen area, if the frozen area is not accessible, or if you can not thaw the pipe, call a licensed plumber.
• Check all other faucets in your home to find out if you have additional frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes, others may freeze, too.

Future Protection

• Consider relocating exposed pipes to provide increased protection from freezing. Pipes can be relocated by a professional if the home is remodeled.
• Add insulation added to attics, basements, and crawl spaces. Insulation will maintain higher temperatures in these areas.