The winter months can be especially harsh on your home’s plumbing system. This is the time of year when the need for plumbing repairs tends to be most pressing, due to damage done by freezing pipes and neglected repairs from other times of the year. To protect your pipes and your wallet, here are a few things you can do to winterize your home’s plumbing system.
Repair Leaks
Now is the perfect time to inspect your plumbing system for leaks. Leaky pipes are very dangerous to have in your home once temperatures drop, as they indicate cracks that can expand when and if pipes freeze. If you happen to notice any puddles or leaks near plumbing in your house or basement, contact Meticulous to get those pipes repaired right away.
Inspect for Cracks and Holes
Check your home’s foundation, walls, basement, and crawl spaces for cracks and holes. These deficiencies will allow cold air into your home and will affect the durability of your home’s plumbing system. Caulk all holes and cracks to prevent cold air from coming in and to keep heat from escaping.
Protect Your Pipes and Water Heater
Pipes are more susceptible to burst and break when the temperature is cold outside. Once the water freezes inside of your pipes, it will expand and the pressure from that expansion will force the pipes in your home to burst and leak. Frozen pipes can burst at any time, especially when you are not home and cause extensive water damage inside of your home.
To prevent this from happening, wrap your pipes with electrical heating tape and cover them in foam insulation. Do not forget to protect your water heater by wrapping it with a hot water heater blanket. This will also extend the life of your appliance and lower your utility bills.
Leave the Faucet On
Turn on your faucets so that they have a slow drip at night before you go to sleep. This will prevent the pressure from building up inside of your pipes when the temperatures drop at night. That way, even if your pipes do freeze from the cold, they will not burst.
Turn Off the Water
If you intend on being absent from your home for more than 24 hours, turn off the main water shutoff valve. Make sure all of your pipes and faucets are empty as well. This will prevent your pipes from freezing and bursting while you are gone.
Check Your Sump Pump
Inspect and clean your sump pump and drains prior to the arrival of winter. Freezing temperatures can cause your drains to become blocked and your sump pump to stop working properly. A blocked sump pump will lead to flood damage and the need for extensive plumbing repairs.
With these tips and regular plumbing inspections, you can protect your home from costly winter plumbing repairs. Have questions about how you can protect your home from the elements this winter? Contact the Meticulous Plumbing team today!
