Here’s what to do if the recent cold snap messes up your house.

• Frozen pipes: Soak towels in hot water and wrap them around cold sections of the pipe. Keep cabinet doors open to allow warm air to circulate around pipes. Turn on faucets enough to let them drip slowly. Keeping water moving within pipes will prevent freezing. Monitor faucets for reduced water flow.
• Burst pipes Shut off the main valve and call a plumber.
• Furnace out: Call your service provider. Use an alternative heat source such as a wood stove or fireplace in the meantime. Do not use your stove/oven as a source of heat. This increases your risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Away from home: Keep your temperature at least 65 degrees. Have someone check on your house regularly while you’re away.
• Cold air drafts: Caulk gaps in windows and doors or add weather stripping.

Derail the Siberian Express! — BEN POPKEN

[via Angieslist]

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