Winter is drawing near and many of us are taking steps to prepare our homes for the colder months. Plummeting temperatures can cause serious damage to your plumbing system if the right steps are not taken in advance to prevent them. This is especially true for plumbing that is placed outside of your house.
While pipes freezing and bursting are common in places much colder than ours, there are several other issues that may arise due to weather fluctuations. Luckily, they can be easily prevented. Here are 8 preventive winter plumbing tips to ensure your home’s plumbing stays in the best shape and you don’t incur any repair costs for water damage.
Secure Your Outdoor Pipes and Drain Hoses
Ensure that your outdoor pipes and drain hoses are sealed adequately. In the event of temperatures dropping too low, there’s a high chance that they could burst. You can also prevent this by locating your house’s outside water shut-off valve and disconnecting your outdoor water pipes. Make sure to let out the remaining water inside the hoses outside before storing them indoors.
Let Your Faucets Drip
During the winter season, the temperature inside your home drops as well. So, be sure to leave a few inside faucets dripping slowly. This will prevent the water system from freezing as long as there is water running through it.
Regulate Your Home’s Temperature
First, go around your house and mark the locations of all the pipes. You want to make sure that their temperature does not drop below 32 degrees. Water will freeze within two (2) hours if the temperature drops below 32F. Water freezing in appliances like water heaters can cause irreversible damage to them.
Cabinet Doors Must Be Open
By leaving your cabinet or shelf doors open, you are allowing warm air to enter these areas. This can help in maintaining the desired temperature during extremely cold seasons like winter. It can also prevent the pipelines under your kitchen sink from freezing and being clogged.
Use Insulation
Insulating pipes exposed to cold areas of your house during the winter season is important. Doing this can help limit heat loss as well. If neglected, your pipelines become vulnerable to stagnant water that might freeze in very cold temperatures as a result of the water condensing due to poor insulation.
Check Pipe Leaks
It’s crucial to check your pipes for any potential leaks. During the winter season, even a small amount of water could potentially freeze and rupture your pipes. If you suspect any sign of water leakage or pipeline malfunctions, get them checked by a plumber right away.
Turn Off Water Supply When Going on a Vacation
If you are planning to go on a vacation, it is essential to shut off the main water supply before you leave. This will not only protect your home but also appliances that use water. In the event of a pipe burst, you can also avoid any major damage to your property if the water supply has been turned off.
Call an Expert
In the event of a leak, frozen or burst pipe, or damage to your plumbing system, call for professional assistance right away. It is always better to be safe than attempt to repair if you are not familiar with plumbing.
Not Sure How to Apply These Winter Plumbing Tips? Contact Flamingo Plumbing & Backflow Services
Having your water system damaged during the winter season can mount high costs in repairs. If you are not sure how to apply these winter plumbing tips and prepare your home for the winter months, Flamingo Plumbing & Backflow Services can help.
We offer a wide variety of plumbing services including general plumbing, water heater repair, backflow prevention, and more. If you are interested in learning more about how we can help you prepare for the winter months, contact our team today.