Record Lows Ahead?

So you may be asking yourself, "self, what is the record low for this time of year?   We gotta be close to it right?"  

Well, actually the record low is -41 set back in 1951 for our area.  Good lord, this is one of those records you just don't want to break, right?

But cold is cold when it gets below zero...I have heard that United Airlines has canceled 26 departures at Denver International Airport while Southwest and Frontier airlines have not reported any cancellations, yet.  Denver International Airport says it had 130 cancellations on Monday and I would highly suggest you check the status of your flight by clicking HERE.  RTD says the SkyRide to DIA is running 20 minutes behind schedule and advises travelers to plan accordingly.

Here are a few good tips to know with these kind of  lows expected:

• Insulate pipes that are near outside walls, in the attic or in the crawl space. Ensure complete coverage, as even a short distance of pipe exposed to cold air can result in freezing.
• Open cabinet doors to allow warm air around sink supply lines that are near outside walls.
• Keep the living space above 55 degrees. Keep this in mind if you are going to be away on vacation. In fact, you may want to turn off the main water valve.
• Run a trickle of hot and cold water at vulnerable locations during extremely cold weather.
• If you have experienced frozen pipes in the past that thawed on their own, investigate where the pipes run and properly insulate them at vulnerable locations. This might even mean removing drywall to gain access. However, this is less disruptive than a burst pipe.
• Always disconnect hoses from outside faucets in fall. On all but the oldest of homes, these faucets are freeze-proof but can freeze and burst if a hose is left attached.
• If you turn on a faucet but little or no water flows, leave the faucet partially open to encourage water flow, which will help prevent further freezing. If you can identify where the pipe(s) may be frozen and you can gain access, gently warm the pipe(s) with a hair dryer. Do not use an open flame
• If you are unable to get the water flowing, turn off the main water valve and call a professional to locate and thaw the frozen pipe(s) before they burst.
• If a leak occurs, turn off the main water valve immediately and call professionals to make the repair and to extract the water. Quickly removing the water and thoroughly drying materials is critical to minimizing damage and avoiding mold. Even a relatively small amount of water (an open pipe can easily supply 5 gallons of water per minute) can do a significant amount of damage. Contact your insurance agent immediately and do not delay in getting the drying process started.