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  • Winter Tips For Our Townhome Community

    • WINTERIZE!

    • Exterior Hose Faucets – Winter Freeze Warning

      • There are shut-off valves for the exterior hose taps/bibs in each unit's ground-level HVAC room. There are two of these valves in the garage HVAC rooms of interior units and in the bottom-level HVAC room of end units. The valves are controlled by levers, typically covered in bright-colored plastic.

      • The valves need to be shut off, and the water lines drained in anticipation of freezing weather.

      • Now is the time to turn the valves off.

      • Failure to shut off and drain these water lines before cold weather arrives can result in significant water damage from frost-ruptured pipes. Pipes that rupture in the wall of a garage can flood an adjoining unit.

    • In the fall, shut off each valve by turning the lever to the horizontal position—so it is at a right angle to the pipe. Drain the pipes by opening the exterior tap and then inside, taking off the small metal cap on the side of the valve body. Have a container ready to catch the water. When the water flow stops, replace the metal cap.

      • Backflow preventers on the exterior taps should be disabled or removed to allow water to flow out of the pipes.

    • In the spring, close the exterior tap, move the lever so it runs parallel to the pipes, and enable or replace the backflow preventer.

    • Snow and Ice Melt Materials

      • The use of rock salt (sodium chloride) to melt ice and snow on exterior stairs and driveway aprons is not recommended. It will result in efflorescence on the bricks and pavers. Efflorescence is a white staining that is unsightly and very difficult to remove. It can take years to disappear!

      • Ice melt products that contain calcium chloride are the recommended material if necessary. Alternatively, consider using pet litter box granules (Kitty Litter and others) or sand (such as children’s play box sand).

    • ‘Snow Event’ Parking

      • Occasionally during the winter, Bethesda experiences a “snow event” with inches to feet of snow on the ground. During snow events, cars should be parked in garages or off the community streets to allow for effective snow clearing. Parked cars restrict effective plowing and compromise mobility in the community. Emergency vehicles like ambulances or fire trucks need easy access to be effective. Help keep traffic flowing by parking off-street.

Owners and landlords, please make sure the valves to the exterior taps, including those in the garage, are turned off. Frozen pipes are a costly and preventable emergency!

© 2020 by Glenbrook Village Homeowners' Association Inc., All Rights Reserved

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