CITY REMINDS HOMEOWNERS TO KEEP SEWER VENT PIPE CLEAR OF SNOW (Monday/April 3/7:15 a.m.)
With considerable snow projected this week, the City is reminding homeowners to pay close attention to their sewer vent pipe.
"The sewer vent pipe can freeze up, allowing sewer gas to enter the home and cause slow draining lines as well," said Rapid City Water Reclamation Superintendent Dave Van Cleave. "Homeowners want to make sure it doesn't drift over with snow or have a big frost build-up."
To prevent the sewer vent pipe from drifting or frosting over, Van Cleave suggests during times of heavy snow, clearing your roof of snow on a regular basis. Excessive snow can block the vent's stack and cause freezing. A gurgling toilet may indicate a clogged or frozen vent stack. Other suggestions include pouring warm water down rarely-used household drains during the winter season. This keeps water in the drain-waste-vent system's trap, preventing freezing.
Homeowners can also keep their attic heated with a heat register vent that produces warm air flow. Van Cleave also suggests wrapping a foil-backed insulated sleeve or themostatically-controlled tape around the vent pipe in the attic. A plumber could also install a copper 'T' or heat cord in the sewer vent.
BLIZZARD MESSAGE (Monday/April 3/6:15 a.m.):
With the forecasted blizzard conditions predicted beginning tonight through Wednesday, use today to get prepared.
Make sure you have enough medication and food for a few days. If you have babies, stock up on diapers and infant food. In case of an extended power outage, make sure you have working flashlights and a supply of batteries and candles.
With extended blizzard conditions, the weather is likely to impact Rapid Transit System operations, Rapid City Landfill and trash collections, the Rapid City Public Library, Swim Center/Ice Arena and other operations. As the storm takes hold, stay tuned for updates on late starts and cancellations.
Regional Airport crews will work to keep runways open. If you are scheduled for airline travel during the blizzard period, check the airlines for delays and cancellations and be aware of changing conditions.
If you don’t have to travel during the forecasted blizzard period, stay home. If you have to travel, make sure you have a survival kit, a working cell phone, make sure your vehicle has adequate fuel and you make others aware of your travels and time line.
Keep your home sewer vent clear of snow.
During the winter storm event, always drive with caution, expect changing road conditions, allow extra time to get your car prepared for travel by clearing snow and ice off windshields, hood and top of car. Drive the road conditons and not the speed limit.
With high winds forecasted, drifting and visibility issues can be expected. This will impact plowing and snow removal efforts. Priority attention will be given to keeping emergency routes, main lines and intersections open. City crews will be using a combination of pretreatment, treatment and plowing efforts during the snow event. Day and night crews will overlap shifts to maximize efforts.
RAPID CITY UNDER BLIZZARD WARNING: Monday 6 pm through Wednesday
Original source can be found here.
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