How To Protect Your Home From Winter Plumbing Problems
During the winter, many people experience busted pipes. Generally this happens when temperatures plummet and the water in their pipes freeze. When the water freezes, it expands causing leaks and busted pipes. A leaking pipe or busted pipe can result in significant damage to the home. The following article will teach you how to protect your home from this type of damage.
One of the primary causes of frozen pipes is a furnace that is not properly functioning. When your furnace is not working, your home's internal temperature can drop quickly. To help keep your furnace running in tip top shape, change the filters in your furnace every month. The easiest way to remember to change your furnace filters is to change them on the same day every month. Many homeowners choose a date that is easy to remember, such as the date the rent or mortgage is due.
Your pipes should be insulated to help protect them from severe temperature changes. Insulation for your pipes can be installed in a very short time. You can visit your local home improvement store and purchase preformed pipe insulation. With this type of insulation, you simply slide the foam insulation over your pipes.
If your water heater is 10 years old or older, it is time for a new one. Over time, you hot water heater collects sediment in the bottom of its tank. These particles prevent your water heater from working correctly. Many times within one year, a homeowner can recoup the cost of the water heater on their utility bills.
One of the most important things to know when it comes to plumbing is the location of your home's main water valve. By knowing where the main valve is located, you can quickly shut off all water to your home. This is especially important should you have a large leak. The time you save by knowing where the shut off valve is can be the difference between having a leak and flooding your house.
Most people do not think about their washing machine hoses when the word plumbing is mentioned. However, the hoses should be replaced every five years to help protect against leaks. These hoses break down over time; thus they should be replaced often.
When a plumbing issue arises, you need to be able to contact a plumber as quickly as possible. By having a telephone number of a trusted plumber nearby, you can help avoid disaster when a leak occurs. Find a plumber who is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. That way if an issue occurs after normal business hours, you can call someone to help you.
As this article has shown, there are many things you can do to help protect your home from sudden plumbing leaks. Follow the tips located in the above article to help protect your pipes during the winter months. These tips can help protect your home from the damage that a busted pipe can cause.
