Please remember to cover your outdoor hose faucets as temperatures go below freezing. This is very important – when faucets are uncovered, the water inside the pipes freezes. And — science fact! Since water expands as it freezes, the pipes break, and water leaks inside the walls of the unit.

Each individual unit owner is responsible to put protective faucet covers on all outdoor faucets. These covers are made of Styrofoam, are very inexpensive and can be purchased at local stores — Home Depot, Fred Meyer, etc.

Another cool science fact — temperatures on the ground are typically 5 degrees colder than the “official” temperature, which is measured 6 feet above ground level. This means that your outdoor faucet, one foot above the ground, will be several degrees colder than the announced low overnight temperature.

If pipes are uncovered and they break inside the walls, causing damage to the unit, the repair will be a homeowner expense. Take a minute to find that faucet cover and put it on — and save a lot of money.