This is a hammer
Quick Action Prevents Frozen Pipe Damage
BY SAMMAZZOTTA

DEAR HAMMER: Last year during a spell of unusual cold, I turned on the kitchen sink tap and noticed the water flow was very weak. Right away I knew that a pipe was freezing. My husband went to the cellar and felt along the cold-water supply line until he found a couple of very cold sections of pipe. Because water was still flowing through the tap we didn't shut off the flow of water. We wrapped old towels around the freezing spots and poured hot water from a tea kettle over each towel. Very quickly -- within 20 minutes -- the water began flowing normally from the tap.

This year we wrapped insulation around the supply lines, both hot and cold -- to conserve heat in the hot line, and to prevent the cold line from freezing. Just wanted to let you know that the "hot-water-and-towels" method is no-cost and really works. -- Blair W., White Plains, N.Y.

DEAR BLAIR: Thanks for the story! Insulating pipes and monitoring the flow of water during cold spells are effective ways to prevent frozen and burst pipes. It's a good idea, when temperatures in your area drop well below normal, to let the taps drip steadily until the weather improves -- water moving through the pipes will help prevent freezing as well.

This winter is already shaping up to be exceptionally cold and snowy in the East and Midwest. In addition to preventing pipe freezes, homeowners should make sure that

heavy snow doesn't cause problems, either. High snowdrifts can cover vents you don't normally pay attention to,

such as dryer

and heating vents, potentially causing gases to back up into the house. Ice can form inside unshielded vent stacks, so that sewer gases don't vent properly. Clear snow and ice away from ventilation exit points as soon as a storm ends.

HOME TIP: A diminishing flow of water from the tap during a cold spell can signal that a pipe is beginning to freeze.

Send questions or homerepair tips to homeguru2000@ hotmail.com, or write This Is a Hammer, c/o King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL32853-6475.

(c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc.