During the winter time, many people can make plumbing mistakes that cost a lot of money. It's not that hard to do, especially in certain climates. It's time to get educated about what you can do to help you stay away from these issues. Keep reading, and consider these plumbing problem prevention tips.
You are going to want to ensure that you completely shut off your water faucets every time. This speaks to the reason that you don't want to leave them running at any form of regular speed. However, it is also a good idea to let your faucets drip. But, this can only be a drip, which can help prevent your pipes freezing. Otherwise, the faucets need to be shut off.
Using screens and traps for drains is essential during any time of year. However, during the winter, it is especially important because you run the risk of your pipes freezing much easier if you do not keep them clear. You see, the pipes are designed to be clear and not full of debris or frozen during the winter. Pipes can crack when frozen, and too much obstruction can cause them to burst.
You also need to think about hard water and using water softener if this applies to your living location. Hard water ruins water faucets and makes them much more susceptible to the winter months and what they bring. If you need to be using water softener, then you better take the time to do it, or you're going to end up owing much more money.
You also need to check your shut off valves on occasion so that you are not just letting them sit there. Any faucets out in the elements that are exposed should also be covered. Plus, you need to put piping insulation on the pipes you have out in the elements as well. This protects them from freezing and breaking, which can cause other problems in the pipes that are not exposed. It is bad enough if exposed pipes break, but when they affect pipes underneath your home, you're going to wish you had made a better decision.
This way of thinking is when you go beyond what you can see to protect those pipes. For instance, you want to have your garage door closed as well. People forget because this is not their living space essentially. However, it is a place that contains pipes that if they are left in freezing or near freezing weather due to a garage door being open, you're going to run into a plethora of problems.
Think about the advice that has been presented to you here about protecting your plumbing. The last thing you want to have to deal with during the winter is your water being shut off due to plumbing issues. You cannot afford this, and you do not want to have to put up with not having water. Instead, take the precautions that have been presented so that you fare well.