A gal named Bonnie (on another forum) brought to light a problem I have not seen anticipated or discussed. She notes that during the last prolonged NE power outage the VALVES AND WATER LINES FROZE damaging the system for both water company and commercial and residential customers and delaying the restoration of water service. I think we need to alert everyone to insulate and protect normally heated water pipes so this problem can be averted.

-- Ann Fisher (zyax55b@prodigy.com), November 08, 1998

Answers

I live in Wisconsin. January gets pretty cold. I called my plumber in to have him show me how to drain all the water out of my sytem. Twenty four hours of sub-freezing temperatures would be a disaster for any home, insulation, or not. The water pipes in your outside walls will be hit first. It may even be necessary to remodel your plumbing system to make it possible to drain it. I'd suggest you call your plumber in before he gets swamped with jobs like yours.

Hull

-- Hull Stetson (stetson.hull@usa.net), November 08, 1998.

And after draining the pipes (and toilet tanks, don't think you want to risk freeze expansion cracking it) you may want to pour some RV antifreeze down the drain traps for shinks and toilets and be sure the residual in washer and dishwasher pumps are antifreezed.... If you are planning on keeping relatively warm in the basement, may want to have that plumber make sure there is are shutoffs located such that you can drain, shutoff upstairs, and repressurize the basement water lines(presumes you have water pressure).

Good Luck jh

-- john hebert (jhebert@co.waukesha.wi.us), November 13, 1998.