Water expands when it freezes, which can be a cause for concern for your plumbing system. When temperatures drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, even for a short period, you run the risk of a pipe fracture or worse. Here are a few precautions you can take in the month of November to save yourself later.
- Close crawl space vents and stuff insulation
over the openings. - If your bathroom pipes run along an exterior wall, try keeping the vanity door(s) open to allow heat inside.
- Drain and store garden hoses.
- Drain underground sprinkler systems.
- Open cabinet doors under sinks to let in heat.
- Should a pipe freeze, never thaw it with an open flame. Use a hair dryer, heat lamp or space heater.
Recipe: Butternut ‘let your pipes freeze’ soup
Ingredients
- 1 cup yellow onion, chopped
- 3/4 cup celery rib, chopped
- 3/4 cup carrot, chopped
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 butternut squash, peeled and chopped
- 1 tart green apple, peeled, cored and chopped
- 3 cups chicken stock or broth
- 1 cup water
- Pinches of nutmeg, cinnamon, cayenne,
salt and pepper
Instructions
- Heat a large pot on medium-high heat. Melt the butter in the pot and let it foam up, and then recede. Add the onion, carrot and celery, and sauté for 5 minutes. Lower the heat if the vegetables begin to brown.
- Add the butternut squash, apple, broth and water. Bring to boil.
- Cover and reduce to a simmer for 30 minutes or until the squash and carrots have softened.
- Use an immersion blender to purée the soup or work in batches and purée the soup in a standing blender.
- Add pinches of nutmeg, cinnamon and cayenne. Add salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or chives.
Recipe courtesy of simplyrecipes.com
