GATLINBURG, Tenn.—With bitterly cold temperatures forecasted for early next 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 below 20 degrees on nights from Monday, January 15 through Wednesday, January 17.
“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.
Phelps also advises that the Online Customer Portal, which is a free service to individuals receiving services from the Utilities Department, is a way that customers can check for leaks by monitoring their water usage from their computer or mobile device.
“The Online Portal allows customers to detect issues such as continuous flow, which could catch leaks from burst or frozen pipes early, before damage occurs or their bills increase significantly,” Phelps said.
The Online Customer Portal is web-based and can be accessed on any mobile or desktop device, allowing customers to access water consumption data at their convenience. This service is available at no charge. First-time users of the Online Customer Portal will need to establish an account. To begin the registration process, customers can visit https://my-gtlbg.sensus-analytics.com. To create an account, customers will need their Account Number and their exact address as it appears on their water bill. This information can be found on the customers’ most recent water bill.
For additional advice or tips, contact the Gatlinburg Utilities Department at 865-436-4681.
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