Before winter strikes, it is important to prepare your plumbing to avoid cracked or burst pipes that spell disaster for your home. Keep in mind that this preparation isn’t just for cold climates. Southern regions can also experience periods of extreme cold, so make sure to follow these tips if you hear that your area is expecting frigid temperatures.
Here are a few tips to put your mind at ease when the temperature drops for the season:
- Turn off outdoor faucets
Outdoor faucets should be turned off at their shutoff valves. First, drain any water that remains in the pipe by opening the faucet and then the bleeder cap found on the shutoff valve. Then, turn off the faucet completely. If you don’t drain the pipes first, the water can still freeze and cause the pipe to burst.
- Insulate pipes
Most pipes found in attics, garages, and crawl spaces are not in heated areas and are not insulated. The same goes for any exposed pipes and faucets found around the outside of your home. To insulate them, use heat cable along the pipes and then cover them with insulation. Pairing the insulation with heat cable is key because insulation alone is not enough to help the pipes withstand cold temperatures.
- Disconnect hoses
It’s important to make sure all hoses are disconnected from outdoor faucets because if they aren’t, the water in the hose can freeze, cause ice to back up into the house’s pipes, and possibly crack the pipes. Make sure you drain the hoses before you store them.
- If you plan to leave town, shut off your water
Turning off your water at your home’s main shutoff will decrease the amount of damage to your pipes, if any, while you are gone. You will also want to shut off your ice maker so it doesn’t continue to attempt to make ice while the water is off.
- Turn faucets on to drip
This is especially important if you know the temperature is going to drop. When you leave your faucets dripping, it relieves the pressure that builds up and causes broken and burst pipes when water freezes. This is vital to preventing frozen pipes from cracking. A drip or slow trickle will work.
Need to fix any leaky pipes or need assistance insulating before the winter season begins? With over 20 years of experience, Dan’s Plumbing Services can help! Contact us today by phone at (779) 529-5100, or on our website. We can’t wait to hear from you and help you get your plumbing ready for winter!
