If you have a water heater and you won't be present, you should
probably drain that device too.

On Mon, 04 Dec 2006 13:04:26 GMT, "JoeSpareBedroom"
wrote:

"peter" wrote in message
news:YYUch.3052$bW2.358@trndny04...
In the unfortunate event of losing electric power for days during freezing
weather, what is the best way to prevent water pipes from freezing?

Leave each faucet dripping, or turn off water main?

I'm trying to compile a disaster todo list.

BTW, normally pipes inside houses are kept warm by central heating. But
what keeps the pipes under the streets from freezing?


If you're there to keep an eye on things, leave the faucets on a slow drip.
If you're gone, turn them on full blast and then shut off the main valve to
the house. Last, flush all toilets.

The underground pipes don't freeze because (hopefully), they're installed
below the frost line - the depth at which the ground freezes in your area.