You may not have ever thought to before, but getting your plumbing system prepped for the winter weather is something that should not be overlooked this season! Taking measures to make sure that your plumbing system stays in good shape throughout the winter can actually save you a great deal of money down the line on repairs and potential replacements.
1. Turn Off Your Outside Water System
All of the fixtures that are connected to the elements of your outdoor plumbing system are in direct contact with the cold winter temperatures, leaving them at a much greater risk for freezing during this time of the year. Your best bet is to shut down your sprinkler system, detach any hoses, and put a plug in all of your outdoor faucets.
2. Insulate Your Pipes
Insulating your pipes, especially ones that are close in proximity to the edges of your home can do a lot to protect your pipes from those freezing temperatures. Insulating these pipes is inexpensive but very effective.
3. Keep Faucets Dripping
When you know temperatures are predicted to fall well below freezing temperatures, one thing that can help relieve pressure along the piping that is close to your exterior walls is to keep surrounding faucets dripping through the night. If a small amount of water is constantly flowing through the pipes, it can actually prevent your pipes from freezing overnight, which will also save your pipes from bursting due to an ice blockage.
4. Take Care of Your Water Heater
Some things you can do to ensure that your water heater is ready for the upcoming colder season would be flushing it out. As we use our water heaters over time, sediments can build up in them and adding freezing temperatures to the mix can spell certain trouble for your water heater. You can also buy a water heater blanket to ensure that those freezing temperatures don’t affect your hot water supply.
5. Keep Your Heat Above 65 Degrees
While many people turn their heat down while they’re gone for the holidays to save money on monthly energy bills, this could easily put your plumbing in serious danger when it comes to your pipes freezing in your absence. You can also leave your cabinets open to get more airflow to these susceptible areas.
6. Fix Outdoor Cracks
Resolving any exterior cracks on your home can stop unwanted freezing air from sneaking its way into your home. Doing this will obviously keep those freezing temperatures away from your plumbing system, keeping it safe throughout the winter season.
Making these small extra efforts in preparation for winter weather can save you a lot more effort and money in the long run, especially if your plumbing system is on the older side.
To learn more about prepping your home’s plumbing system for winter weather or if you already know you have repairs that need to be made, call Combat at (773) 724-9272 now!
