GATLINBURG, Tenn.—With bitterly cold temperatures forecasted for this week, the Gatlinburg Utilities Department reminds its customers that they need to take steps to prevent frozen water pipes.
The National Weather Service in Morristown has forecasted lows temperatures in the single digits overnight on January 19 through 21, and then lows below 20 degrees on January 22.
“Being able to take precautions and making sure simple measures are implemented can prevent frozen water pipes in your home,” Gatlinburg Utilities Manager Dale Phelps said. “With prolonged periods of time below freezing this weekend, cold weather can put a strain on your plumbing system and cause frozen or burst pipes without taking the proper precautions.”
The Gatlinburg Utilities Department urges its customers to take the following precautions to reduce the risk of frozen or burst pipes.
· Locate your shutoff valve: Advise all members of your household where the main water shutoff valve is located in case of an emergency.
· Prevent your pipes from freezing: Make sure water keeps moving through your home’s pipes by allowing a small trickle of water to run.
· Keep your pipes warm: Open cabinet doors to expose pipes to warmer room temperatures to help keep them from freezing.
· Identify freezing points: Check your home for pipes in areas that could be prone to freezing, such as crawl spaces, unheated rooms, basements, garages and exterior walls. Where pipes are exposed to cold air, wrap them with insulation or other materials.
· Check sprinkler and irrigation systems: Make sure systems have been fully drained and are turned off. Disconnect all hoses from outside faucets.
In the event your pipes do freeze, follow these steps:
· Know where your main water shut-off valve is and turn off the water. Do not attempt to thaw frozen pipes without first turning off this valve.
· Frozen water in pipes can be melted by warming air around it with a hair dryer or a space heater. Do not leave the space heater unattended. Also, do not use an open flame or kerosene to thaw frozen pipes.
· Once your pipes are thawed, slowly turn water back on so you can check for any cracks or leaks in your plumbing system.
For additional advice or tips, contact the Gatlinburg Utilities Department at 865-436-4681.
For the latest updates from the City of Gatlinburg, visit GatlinburgTN.gov or visit the City’s Social Media pages on Facebook and X..
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