BECKLEY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Frigid temperatures and stormy conditions are already purportedly on the horizon in the initial days of the winter season. As such, Beckley Water Company issued tips Thursday on how best to prepare for the anticipated colder conditions, which are expected to include low temperatures, snow, and high wind throughout the weekend.
Residents throughout affected areas are encouraged to disconnect and drain outdoor hoses to allow for water to drain from the pipe. This practice can prevent the bursting of faucets or pipes connected to the hose in the event of an overnight freeze.
Additionally, pipes and faucets in areas which are not heated such as garages or crawl spaces should be insulated prior to the dropping of outdoor temperatures. Insulating materials can generally be found at building supply or hardware stores.
One may also consider installing heat tape or heat cable on exposed pipes, which include exterior pipe or any pipe in a location which may see exposure to temperatures below freezing. Installation for these materials, which can be found at local hardware stores, is relatively simple, though those conducting installations should take care to utilize only UL-listed products and follow the instructions listed from the manufacturer carefully.
Finally, all doors, air vents, and cracks should be sealed off so as to deter the effects of winter winds. Overlooked openings may allow these winds to rapidly freeze exposed water pipes. It should be noted, however, that air vents used by a furnace or water heater apparatus should not be plugged off.
Snowy conditions are expected to affect the Raleigh County area in the wee hours of the morning Friday, with temperatures projected to drop to single digits by sunrise.
Additional LOOTPRESS coverage for Raleigh County can be found here.