You may not think about the condition of your home’s pipes very often, but the smallest problem with your plumbing can waste water, cost money, and cause damage. This is especially true with 10% of homes having leaks that waste at least 90 gallons of water every day. So to avoid any further issues, winterizing your plumbing should be on your “to do” list. Plumbing winterization isn’t difficult, and it’s extremely important. So let’s take a look at a few important steps to take when you’re completing your plumbing winterization.
Have your pipes insulated: This is one of the most important steps you should take when getting your plumbing ready for the cold weather. Local plumbing services can help ensure your pipes are properly insulated. While not all of the pipes in your home need to be insulated, the pipes around the exterior of your home and in your basement should be. Insulation can be the key to avoiding frozen pipe, which can burst and cause flooding.
Seal exterior cracks: Before the winter weather gets any worse, you should take a look at the exterior of your home. If you notice any cracks or damage, you should have them fixed immediately. If there is even a small crack, cold air can get inside your home and cause your pipes to freeze. So by filling in any cracks or other damage, you can ensure your home will stay comfortably warm for both you and your plumbing.
Disconnect outside hoses: If you still have garden hoses connected to outside faucets, they should be disconnected as soon as possible. If outside hoses are left hooked up, water can continue to enter them and freeze. Once the hose is disconnected, the hose bibs should be effectively drained and covered. If possible, you should also shut off water flow to the hose bibs. Doing this can help avoid outside pipes and faucets from freezing.
Plumbing winterization is an important task homeowners need to do every year. With these few simple steps and the help of a local plumber, you can ensure your plumbing will be working properly all winter long.