Top tips to prepare plumbing for winter
Winterizing the plumbing system is essential to avoid pipes bursting and cracking. Freezing temperatures are a common reason for emergency plumbing disaster in the middle of winter. In this article, we will discuss the top tips to prepare your plumbing for winter.
Tips for Winterizing Plumbing
Disconnect Water Hoses
If you want to keep plumbing safe, you need to disconnect the hoses. A connected hose can easily get freeze in cold weather. It is important to disconnect all outdoor hoses from the faucets and drain it well to prevent it from cracking.
Insulate Pipes
Cold weather affects the areas most exposed to weather, including the garage, attic, and crawl space. Freezing temperatures could cause damage to pipes underground. For this, you can use a heat cable to cover exposed pipes
Although there may be some insulation around the pipes, in most cases is not sturdy enough to block cold temperatures. Therefore, it is a good idea to take additional measures to protect pipes.
Shut off Outdoor Faucets
Another easy step to prepare plumbing for winter is to shut off any outdoor faucets. Shutting off the outdoor faucets will help prevent catastrophe. If you fail to drain pipes, they can freeze and crack. Simply take a bucket, open the bleeder cap, and let the water drip. Ensure dripping stops after a while; if not, there might be a valve problem.
Check furnace or HVAC unit
It is always a good idea to have the furnace and HVAC units checked before temperatures start to fall. A furnace or HVAC that is not working properly may lead to a very cold winter day! Have a professional come and inspect the units to ensure they are working properly.
Open Cabinet Doors
When winter arrives, it is a good idea to open cabinet doors, whether kitchen or bathroom, and let warm air go in and out near the plumbing system. Pipes in cabinets are often much more susceptible to freezing because the warm air in the space can’t easily reach them.
Run Water
Let the water drip from the faucets to avoid freezing pipes. Releasing pressure from slow-dripping faucets can prevent frozen pipes from cracking. Although you can see a minor jump in your water bill, it is nothing in comparison to the disaster you would have to face without proper precautions.
Inspect the Exterior
Always walk around your home, looking for wall cracks. If sealing is required, go for it. Cold air can easily seep through those cracks. It can let cool air enter the pipe and freeze it. You can use spray foam to fill those open gaps to protect water pipes. It may seem like a challenging process, but actually, it is not!
If you are looking for the best plumbing services in Denver, get in touch with Master Rooter. We have an experienced team with the right advanced tools in our hands.
