Some advice on dealing with home water damage

Dear Heloise: I know that many Americans have suffered the unpleasant experience of having to recover from water damage in their homes. We just did some research and found that one in three Americans had a common home emergency in the past year alone. That's why I wanted to share some hints for helping homeowners prevent and recover from two of the most common ones that we deal with:
UBroken pipes/frozen pipes bursting -- A 3-millimeter crack can spew more than 250 gallons of water per day. Before the cold hits, pipes should be insulated in the attic and crawl spaces, garden hoses should be disconnected, and leaks that allow cold in should be sealed. Faucets connected to vulnerable pipes should be allowed to drip during cold weather. If faucets are turned on and nothing comes out, leave the faucets on and call the plumber. If a pipe bursts, faucets should be turned on, but the water should immediately be turned off at the home's water-shut-off valve.
UBathroom flooding -- Homeowners need to treat bathroom flooding differently from other water-related disasters due to the contaminated nature of the water involved. The water-shut-off valve should be activated, and power to the room should be cut. Then, any rugs, carpets or other materials that have been affected should be removed and replaced. The bathroom should be cleaned thoroughly with a germ-killing agent such as bleach (please follow the directions on the bottle -- Heloise). And, due to the potential complications from contaminated water, a homeowner should consider bringing in a professional restoration company.
Everyone knows how inconvenient these unexpected situations can be. I hope that these hints can help your readers prevent or prepare for at least two of the inevitable problems that homeowners have to deal with. Pete Duncanson, director of training for a major disaster-restoration company, Downers Grove, Ill.
Dear Pete: Thanks for the good advice. I suggest my readers tear this out right now and tape it up inside a bathroom cabinet. Heloise
Dear Heloise: While on vacation several years ago, I purchased postcards to mail to family and friends, and decided to send some to my own house. I buy postcards from the places we've been, write a note about our visit and then mail it home. These make a good reminder and keepsake from our trip. Barbara Walker, via e-mail
Dear Heloise: Have you ever wondered if those neat outdoor solar lights could be put to some practical use?
When we had a power failure recently, we brought them indoors and placed them strategically around the house for night lights. And they are safer than burning candles. Charles Stewart, via e-mail
This hint has been in the column before, but it's definitely worth repeating -- thanks for the reminder! Heloise
Dear Heloise: When you get a new tool that is in a case, take a picture and paste it inside the case. Then when you take the tool out, you can replace it correctly so the lid closes. A reader, via e-mail
XSend a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to (210) HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com.
King Features Syndicate