Listen in to Tom Mason, Senior Water Utility Operator with the Town of Jackson’s Public Works Department, as he joins Del Ray in the KJAX (93.5 FM) studios to talk about what you can do to protect your water pipes from freezing this winter...and what to do if it does happen!
Tom grew up in Wilson (his great, great grandfather was Nick Wilson) and has been working with the Town of Jackson for over 9 nears. He was a Captain with Jackson Hole Fire/EMS where he served for over 18 years (retiring about 5 years ago). Now you can find him maintaining the town’s water supply infrastructure (wells, pumps, hydrants, and piping) as well as insuring water quality through testing.
Each Wednesday morning at 8:30am a representative from the Town of Jackson joins Del Ray on KJAX for the This is Our Town series. It’s a wonderful opportunity to get to meet just a few of the folks who make this community a great place to live and work.
You can also go to the Town of Jackson’s website at www.townofjackson.com to listen in to archived This is Our Town interviews!
During freezing temperatures
• Maintain water flow by allowing cold water to run into the drain. Keeping a small trickle of water (the size of a pencil lead) flowing from a faucet farthest from the intake can be effective.
• Open cabinet doors to allow more heat to surround the pipes near outer walls.
• Leave heat turned on at all times. Heat should not be lower than 50 degrees.
• Plan ahead if you will be away from home for an extended time. Ask a friend or neighbor to check your house daily to make sure it’s warm enough to prevent freezing.
• Check your crawl space and make sure your pipes are properly insulated and your venting in closed.
• Trailer skirting should be in place.
• Disconnect your garden hose from your hose bib, or spigot. This allows the pipe to drain so that it doesn’t freeze, split and leak just inside the wall. The actual valve that stops the flow of water on these is usually 12” or so inside the building.
• Take the time to know where the master shutoff valve for your homes water is before an emergency occurs. This is generally at or near the water meter. Label it, and make sure everyone in the home, or those watching your home, know its location and how to turn it off. If you’re unsure of its location consult your plumber.
Minutes count!
