Mind your pipes

Temperatures have dipped below freezing on 12 November days thus far, with overnight lows of 13 degrees expected on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.

Of course, Ketchikan residents are busy digging through closets for sweaters, socks, coats and gloves while searching for Yaktrax and ice melt all to the sound of neighbors scraping frost from car windows.

The Alaska Department of Transportation, City of Ketchikan and private  enterprises already have had vehicles out de-icing roadways, and we are thankful for that.

Yes, it appears that winter’s chill has arrived. And while we don’t know what the full winter ahead will bring, we already know that it’s bringing the potential for frozen water pipes.

And we certainly know, from unfortunate experience, that frozen water pipes are no fun.

So, believing that an ounce of prevention is better than a week of no showers and bucket-filled “water closets,” we encourage folks to take measures to ensure that pipes won’t freeze and water will flow during the frosty days ahead. 

Local plumbing providers can assist with ways to safely protect home infrastructure, and other entities such as the Red Cross and home insurers offer online tutorials on ways to prevent frozen pipes.

Better to take preventative steps now than face the potential of costly bills and the headaches of a disrupted water supply. Apparently, winter isn’t waiting for December.