Author: FBCMUD 131

PERSONAL HOME FREEZE PREVENTION

Please take precautions so your outdoor faucets do not freeze in the winter:

  • Detach your garden hoses prior to the onset of freezing temperatures.
  • Then close the shut-off valves on the pipe(s) which lead to your outdoor faucets, if available.
  • Finally, open the outdoor faucets so that any residual water can drain, if you have shut off the valves.

Indoor faucets may freeze in very cold weather:

  • Try leaving the cabinet doors under the faucets open so that they can receive more heat.
  • In extreme cases, such as multiple days of below freezing temperatures, allow hot and cold water to trickle at a slow rate into the sinks. Please remember, if the water volume is too high, you risk overflowing the sink.
  • Insulate all water pipes which may be exposed to freezing temperatures or wind. Water pipes not in use should be drained in areas where they may be vulnerable to severely cold weather.
  • If there is plumbing in your garage, be sure to keep the garage door closed. Pipes in unheated garages and attics should be insulated.
  • Water heaters in garages or attics should be insulated against the cold as well with an approved Hot Water Heater Blanket.

If your pipes do freeze:

  • Turn off the water at the main shut-off valve to minimize problems as the ice melts.
  • Leave the faucets on to relieve pressure when the ice begins to melt.
  • If necessary, use a blow dryer or heat gun to thaw frozen pipes.
  • DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTATNCES, USE A BLOW TORCH OR ANY TYPE OF OPEN FLAME TO WARM UP AND/OR THAW YOUR PIPES.

Irrigation system backflow preventers need to be protected from freezing temperatures just as your pipes, outdoor faucets, and water heaters do:

  • Please see the diagram for directions to winterizing your backflow preventers.
  • Insulation “bags” may be purchased at your favorite hardware / plumbing / home improvement store. These will protect but the shutting off as explained below is also necessary to prevent a major plumbing expense.

Southern Colony Park Survey Responses

Thanks to your feedback in the recent improvement survey, exciting updates could be coming to Southern Colony Park! The top priorities shared by the community include adding more picnic pavilions, expanding the splashpad, and improving the trailway for walking and biking. Many of you also highlighted the importance of better lighting on trails to enhance safety and accessibility.

We loved hearing your creative ideas, like a meditative garden, volleyball courts, and an indoor pavilion space. There’s also a strong desire to see upgrades to playground equipment and more shaded areas for families to enjoy around the splashpad.

We hear your concerns about repairs and funding transparency, and this feedback is so valuable as we plan next steps. These suggestions are helping shape a park that will truly feel like home for everyone in our community.

Stay tuned for updates, and thank you for sharing your voice to make Southern Colony Park even better!

For a detailed look at survey results and specific improvement requests, refer to the Southern Colony Park survey responses.