Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Frozen Hoses

Avoid the disaster of a flooded basement!

If you haven't already disconnected your hoses from the spigots, do it now!  Failure to do so could be disastrous!    Make sure you remove any accessories attached to the hose connection and shut off the water inside.  Look at the basement ceiling where the hose plumbing exits the foundation.  Follow it and there should be a shutoff valve nearby. 

If you don't have freeze-proof  hose bibs (spigots), it may be a good idea to install them.  If your not sure if yours are freeze-proof, look for the circular shaped vacuum break on top.  Freeze proof hose bibs come in different lengths and extend through the foundation where the valve mechanism controls water flow in the warm inside of the basement.  The vacuum break allows any residual water to drain out of the length of pipe.

home inspector hunterdonhome inspector hunterdonEven with the freeze-proof  type of hose bib you must remove the hose and accessories.  They will trap water that can freeze and burst the pipes.  A flooded basement on a freezing day is (as my kids would say) the worst day ever.  Sometimes you won't know if there's a problem until you turn the water back on in the spring. 
Be sure to check your hoses before it's too late!

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