1.When do I need to leave a stream of water running?
Pipes can burst when water freezes and then expands. But water will not freeze as easily if it is running. When a cold snap hovers around or below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, it is time to let at least one faucet drip or run a very small (pencil lead size) stream of water. Pay close attention to water pipes that are in the attic, garages, basements, or crawl spaces because temperatures in these unheated interior spaces usually mimic outdoor temperatures.
You can leave only one dripping faucet, but you want to make sure it is in the right location. If you know where your water comes into your home, turn on a cold faucet at the other end of the house to allow for water to travel through the entire system.
If you notice water pressure dropping, it is a sign your pipes are starting to freeze.
2.When does the City of Martinsville send out the snowplows?
The type of weather event dictates how and when the city responds. A ‘nuisance snow’ of an inch or two will not cause significant travel problems for most residents. A significant, plowable snow event would be at least two (2) plus inches. Wind and the accumulation of ice will accelerate the city’s response time.
The city must make hills, intersections, and major thoroughfares a priority before plowing residential areas. When bad weather is forecast for the Martinsville area, please do not park on city streets until the roadways have been cleared from curb to curb. The city asks for your patience and understanding during any major storms.
3.Will the city remove the snow from around my mailbox and the end of my driveway?
As the roads are plowed, snow will end up at the end of driveways and against mailboxes. Our Street Department plows as close to the mailboxes as possible, mindful that it doesn’t take much force to break older mailbox posts off at the ground. It is inconvenient for homeowners, but our city crews cannot return to the hundreds of driveways and mailboxes to perform custom snow removal. Homeowners need to do this work for themselves.
4.Why doesn’t the city shovel the sidewalks downtown and around my house?
CITY CODE 70-6 SIDEWALKS; REMOVAL OF ICE AND SNOW.
“It shall be the duty of the owner or of the occupant of each parcel of real estate in the city abutting upon any sidewalk to keep the sidewalk abutting his or her premises free and clear of snow and ice; and it shall be the duty of such owner or occupant to remove all snow and ice.”
Martinsville City Ordinance regarding the removal of ice and snow from sidewalks.