Any plumbers among us?

[cpalmer2k]

Are there any plumbers among us? We're located in the area being hit hard by ice from Winter Storm Fern, and I'm concerned about pipes over the next few days. Everyone is anticipating the power going out sometime tomorrow, with super low temperatures on Monday and Tuesday nights. Monday is supposed to be around 5 degrees here in upstate SC with a wind chill of 0.

We live in a house built around 2006. Most of the sinks have pex piping, but a few in exterior walls have copper pipes leading to the sinks. Assuming the power does go out how would you handle this scenario. Would I be OK to leave cabinet doors open and run a steady stream from the faucets throughout the house to keep the water moving, or should we try to cut all the water off and drain the pipes? We do have gas logs in the living room, but I don't think the heat will radiate throughout the entire house.

My parents live next door and have a backup Generac, so our plan was to go stay with them Monday night on until the power comes back on.

 

[dfergie]

I'd probably leave water running, I've had those same thoughts unless you can drain all the pipes, we will have about those same lows here. No way to drain all of my pipes as it's been in 20's for a few hours and I wrapped all the outside faucets.
I bought a 30,000 btu ventless propane heater yesterday so the main core of my house should be good if we lose power.

 

[Foxbat]

Opening cabinets to room air is one thing to do, assuming the house remains above freezing. If you're on municipal water, a small trickle of water can prevent freezing on outside walls. If you're on a well and your power goes out, you'll lose water pressure as your system depressurizes. I haven't seen definitive mitigation efforts for that scenario, but opening the faucets could allow the water to move freely which might prevent metallic water lines from bursting.

Good luck!

 

[Jimbo]

I'm not a Plumber, but I need one real soon ....

Personally, I'd leave the cabinet doors open ..... trickle water if you want .... cold, I wouldn't waste your hot water.