Tips For Preparing Your Plumbing For The Winter
Winter is a hard time for everyone, and it can be equally hard on your plumbing. By taking the time in the fall to prepare your plumbing for the winter, you can avoid having any issues with it during the long, cold months of darkness. Use the following tips to get your plumbing ready for the cold and snow.
If you leave your garden hoses connected to your outside faucets, they can cause significant damage once winter arrives. Ice can form in the hose, which can increase the pressure in your water lines, leading to breaks or ruptures. Before winter arrives, disconnect all your hoses, drain them, and store them in a garden shed or garage.
Any pipes that are exposed to the weather should be properly insulated so that they do not freeze. Frozen pipes can cause a great deal of damage to the water lines in your home, causing leaks that require very expensive repairs. Install insulated jackets made from foam rubber or fiberglass on any pipes or faucets that will be exposed to the cold.
A broken hot water heater is never fun, but it is even worse in the middle of winter. Cold showers are intolerable when it is below zero outside. Have your water heater inspected and maintained every year to make sure that it is in proper working order.
Keep warm air circulating throughout your home to make sure that your pipes do not freeze. Do not let the interior temperature drop below 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Leave the cabinet doors open underneath your sinks to let warm air circulate. Any pipes that are near exposed walls should also be well-ventilated to avoid freezing.
Have your house inspected for any cracks that would allow cold air to hit your pipes. If the inspector finds such cracks, have them insulated to protect your pipes from the cold.
Knowing where the main shutoff valve for your house is located can save you a lot of time during a plumbing emergency. If you need to shut off the water supply to your home, you do not want to have to spend a lot of time hunting for the valve. Make sure that it is clearly marked and easily accessible so that you can turn the water off quickly in an emergency.
While your furnace may not technically be part of your home's plumbing, it is still a good idea to have it inspected every year. Have the inspection carried out by an experienced technician before it begins to get cold. Any issues can be identified and resolved before you really need your furnace. There is nothing worse than discovering that your furnace is not working when it is freezing outside.
Winter is a particularly difficult time to fix issues with your plumbing, due to the ice, snow and cold conditions. By taking some time in the fall to prepare your plumbing, you can make sure that the winter passes without incident. Just use the tips you have read to get yourself ready.
