Last week’s tip addressed how to prevent a frozen pipe. Now we look at what to do if a pipe does freeze:

• Shut off the water at the main shutoff valve and open the faucet nearest to the frozen pipe so it can drain as it thaws.
• Waterproof the area with containers and plastic drop clothes in case leaks occur.

Use one of the following methods to gradually warm the frozen pipe. Be sure to work from the faucet toward the iced-up area.

• Run a hair dryer like a torch over the frozen section to gently defrost the pipe.
• Wrap a heating pad around a length of the frozen pipe.
• Leave a vanity or cabinet door open to circulate warm air around pipes.

Remember, Russo Bros. & Co. technicians are equipped with professional pipe thawing equipment and can tackle any emergency.

When the cold weather hits, your pipes may be in danger of freezing. Any faucet or plumbing fixture that will not provide water may be frozen. If you act quickly you may prevent a burst pipe, an expensive repair, and a nasty clean up:

• If you think a pipe is in danger of freezing; keep trickles of water running through the faucet.
• It may be necessary during extremely cold weather to leave a vanity or cabinet door open to circulate warm air around pipes.
• Inspect exposed water pipes (especially those running along outside walls) and use foam insulation to wrap the pipes.
• Keeps doors open between heated and unheated rooms

It’s a New Year and time to review some of the basics of plumbing safety:

• If the emergency involves a specific fixture or appliance, first look for its shutoff valve and turn it clockwise to shut off the water to that fixture or appliance only.
• The valve is usually located underneath a fixture such as a sink or a toilet, or behind an appliance, such as a clothes washer, at the point where the water supply pipe (or pipes) connects to it.
• If the problem is not with a particular fixture or appliance, or if there’s no shutoff valve for the fixture or appliance, use the main shutoff valve to turn off the water supply to the entire house.
• You’ll find the main shutoff valve on the inside or outside of your house where the main water supply pipe enters. In cold climates, look just inside the foundation wall in the basement or crawl space. Turn the valve clockwise to shut it off.
• If you need a wrench to turn the valve, keep one, specially labeled near the valve so it’s handy.
• Tag the main shut off and water meter with two phone numbers; the water company’s and 973-887-1334 ((973) 887-1334)
• If the main shutoff valve itself is defective and needs to be repaired, call your water company; they can send someone out with the special tool that’s required to shut off the water at the street before it reaches the valve.
• Ask any Russo Bros. & Co. technician to tag these shut offs so they can be found easily in an emergency.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

It’s been a great year at Russo Bros. & Co. and we would like to wish all of our friends good health, prosperity and peace in the coming year.

Thank you all.

• Leader drains remove rain water from your gutters and deposit it away from the home. Many a flooded basement was caused by a clogged leader drain.
• Keep the sewer pipes from the house free of tree roots that may invade them. If roots are a particular problem in your yard, you may need to call in professionals once a year or so to clear the pipes. Russo Bros. & Co. is equipped with electric augers capable of cutting tree roots from pipes.
• Flush the drain-waste and vent systems whenever you go up onto your house roof to clean out downspouts or gutters. Run water from a garden hose into all vents, giving them a minute or two of full flow.

Visit our web site at www.russobrosplumbing.com for additional tips on plumbing, heating and drain cleaning, or to see a virtual view of all your home’s plumbing.

Last week we looked at keeping the kitchen sink drain lines clear. Now lets look at some tips to keep your bath drains clear:

• Clean pop-up stoppers in the bathroom sink and the tub regularly. Lift out sink pop-ups once a week and rinse them off.
• Tired of standing in water when you take a shower? Every few months, remove the overflow plate on a tub and pull up the pop-up assembly to reach the spring or rocker arm. Remove accumulated hair and rinse thoroughly.
• Treat the sink and tub/shower drain lines monthly with an organic drain cleaner such as Drain Maid™ featuring BioSmart®.

Visit us on the web at https://www.russobrosplumbing.com/ for additional tips, specials and coupons.

• Match your washing machine’s load selector to your load size. Try to wash only full loads and use cold water to save energy.
• Limit dishwasher use to full loads.
• Choose a car wash that uses recycled water. At home, wash you car in small sections and use a shut off nozzle on your hose.
• Replacing an old shower head can save up to 7.5 gallons of water per minute without sacrificing spray action or high water pressure.