Nelsonville Water Department reminds everyone, Frozen Pipes Disrupt Lives, Don’t Let Water Pipes Freeze

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Nelso frozen pipes

The City of Nelsonville Water Department would like to remind all water customers, “Frozen Pipes Disrupt Lives, Don’t Let Water Pipes Freeze – and Steps to Take If They Do”.

When a house’s water pipes freeze, the situation is not as simple as calling a plumber. A 1/8-inch crack in a pipe can spew up to 250 gallons of water a day, causing flooding, serious structural damage, and the immediate potential for mold.

Frozen water pipes are a problem in both cold and warmer climates, affecting some quarter-million families each winter, and it can happen in homes with both plastic and copper pipes. It’s all too common, especially considering this damage is largely preventable.

In addition to taking the usual preventive precautions, here are a few steps you can take to keep your pipes from turning frigid nights into inconvenient, and expensive ordeals.

Before winter arrives

The three central causes of frozen pipes are quick drops in temperature, poor insulation, and thermostats set too low. You can prepare your home during the warmer months.

  • Insulate pipes in your home’s crawl spaces and attic, even if you live in a climate where freezing is uncommon. Exposed pipes are most susceptible to freezing. Remember, the more insulation you use, the better protected your pipes will be.
  • Heat tape or thermostatically controlled heat cables can be used to wrap pipes. Be sure to use products approved by an independent testing organization, such as Underwriters Laboratories Inc., and only for the use intended (exterior or interior). Closely follow all manufacturers’ installation and operation instructions.
  • Seal leaks that allow cold air inside near where pipes are located. Look for air leaks around electrical wiring, dryer vents, and pipes, and use caulk or insulation to keep the cold out. With severe cold, even a tiny opening can let in enough cold air to cause a pipe to freeze.
  • Before winter hits, disconnect garden hoses and, if possible, use an indoor valve to shut off and drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets. This reduces the chance of freezing in the short span of pipe just inside the house.

When the mercury plummets

Even if you’ve taken the right preventative steps, extreme weather conditions can still harm your pipes. Here are a few more steps you can take:

  • A trickle of hot and cold water might be all it takes to keep your pipes from freezing. Let warm water drip overnight, preferably from a faucet on an outside wall.
  • Keep your thermostat set at the same temperature during both day and night. You might be in the habit of turning down the heat when you’re asleep, but further drops in the temperature—more common overnight—could catch you off guard and freeze your pipes.
  • Open cabinet doors to allow heat to get to un-insulated pipes under sinks and appliances near exterior walls.

Before you skip town

Travelling in the winter months might be good for the soul, but don’t forget to think about your pipes before you leave. What can you do?

  • Set the thermostat in your house no lower than 55°F (12°C).
  • Ask a friend or neighbor to check your house daily to make sure it’s warm enough to prevent freezing.
  • Shut off and drain the water system. Be aware that if you have a fire protection sprinkler system in your house, it may be deactivated when you shut off the water.

If your pipes do freeze

What if your pipes still freeze, despite your best preventive measures? First step: Don’t panic. Just because they’re frozen doesn’t mean they’ve already burst. Here’s what you can do:

  • If you turn on your faucets and nothing comes out, leave the faucets turned on and call a plumber.
  • Do not use electrical appliances in areas of standing water. You could be electrocuted.
  • Never try to thaw a pipe with a torch or other open flame because it could cause a fire hazard. Water damage is preferable to burning down your house!
  • You may be able to thaw a frozen pipe using a hair dryer. Start by warming the pipe as close to the faucet as possible, working toward the coldest section of pipe.
  • If your water pipes have already burst, turn off the water at the main shutoff valve in the house; leave the water faucets turned on. Make sure everyone in your family knows where the water shutoff valve is and how to open and close it.

Slippery Road Conditions May Develop Across the Area! Use caution on untreated area roads, bridges and overpasses!

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Icy Conditions

Slippery Road Conditions May Develop Throughout the Area Overnight! Temperatures will slowly fall through the 30s and into the 20s tonight. With moisture from earlier rain, and spotty drizzle overnight, icy spots may result in slippery roads and hazardous driving conditions. Drivers are urged to use caution on untreated roads, bridges and overpasses.

Athens Co LEVEL 2 SNOW EMERGENCY, roads hazardous, travel only if needed, use extreme caution!

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Snow Emergency 2

ATHENS COUNTY LEVEL 2 SNOW EMERGENCY
January 8, 2018, 05:40 hours

Athens County is under a LEVEL 2 SNOW EMERGENCY. Roadways are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow. Roads are very icy. Only those who feel it is necessary to drive should be out on the roads. Contact your employer to see if you should report to work. Motorists should use extreme caution.

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FOR ATHENS CO MONDAY, 1/8/18, 4AM TO 2PM, SNOW AND ICE EXPECTED!

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Winter Weather Advisory

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for Athens County for Monday, 1/8/18 from 4AM until 2PM.

  • WHAT – Mixed precipitation expected. The ice will result in difficult travel conditions, including during the morning commute on Monday. Total snow accumulations of up to one inch and ice accumulations of up to one tenth of an inch are expected.
  • WHERE – Portions of southeast Ohio and northeast Kentucky.
  • WHEN – From 4 AM to 2 PM Monday, 1/8/18.
  • ADDITIONAL DETAILS – Icy road conditions are likely even after air temperatures rise above freezing on Monday due to the below freezing road surfaces. Motorists can expect slick spots into Monday afternoon, especially on roads left untreated.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS; A Winter Weather Advisory means that periods of snow, sleet or freezing rain will cause travel difficulties. Be prepared for slippery roads and limited visibilities, and use caution while driving. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5-1-1.

Nelsonville boil order Burr Oak Blvd Runyon to Sylvania, Blair Ct, Sylvania, Woodlane, Sandy Ln, Carbon Hill Buchtel Rd

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Nelso Boil Order

The City of Nelsonville Water Department has issued a boil order for Burr Oak Boulevard from Runyon Lane to Sylvania Avenue. Blair Court, Sylvania Avenue, Woodlane Drive, Sandy Lane Carbon Hill Buchtel Road Nelsonville customers ONLY until further notice. Boil orders are put into place as a result of broken water lines or local flooding. When this happens, the drinking water may have been contaminated which can cause many illnesses.

Here are some tips to keep in mind, should you find yourself in this situation:

  • Bring water to a full boil, and boil for three minutes prior to use.
  • Use only boiled water for drinking, preparing food or baby formula.
  • To improve the flat taste of boiled water, keep cold in refrigerator.
  • Put a cup over your faucets as a reminder to not use tap water – not even to brush your teeth!
  • Instead of boiling water, you can disinfect water by adding one teaspoon unscented chlorine laundry bleach for every five gallons of water. Let stand 30 minutes before using.
  • Be sure to use sanitized food grade containers for storing water.
  • To disinfect water storage containers, pour a solution of one tablespoon of unscented chlorine bleach to a gallon of water into a container. Let the solution remain in the container for 10 minutes, then pour out the solution. Rinse with purified water.
  • Boiled or disinfected water can be stored for six months.
  • Dispose of ice cubes.
  • When washing dishes, make sure to sterilize dishes with a final dip in water that has one teaspoon of unscented household bleach per gallon of water. Disposable tableware is an option during a boil order.
  • It is also recommended you sanitize hands when washing. Again, use one teaspoon of unscented household bleach per gallon of water and rinse hand frequently by pouring rinse over the hands. Use paper towels to dry.
  • Water for bathing doesn’t need to be boiled. Supervise children to avoid water being ingested.

WIND CHILL ADVISORY IN EFFECT FOR ATHENS CO UNTIL 3PM, SAT, 1/6/18, WIND CHILL -5 TO -15!

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Wind Chill Advisory

Wind chill advisory in effect for Athens County until 3PM, Saturday, 1/6/18!

  • WHAT – Very cold wind chills expected. The cold wind chills will cause frostbite in as little as 30 minutes to exposed skin. Expect wind chills to range from 5 below zero to 15 below zero.
  • WHERE – Portions of southeast Ohio and central, northeast, northern and southeast West Virginia.
  • WHEN – Until 3 PM Saturday.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS; A Wind Chill Advisory means that cold air and the wind will combine to create low wind chills. Frost bite and hypothermia can occur if precautions are not taken. Make sure you wear a hat and gloves.