Winter brings festive cheer and significant challenges for homeowners, particularly when it comes to plumbing. Freezing temperatures can cause bursting pipes, clogging drains, and other costly disasters. Preparing your home for the cold months can save you from unexpected headaches and costly repairs. Please check out how you can protect your home from winter plumbing disasters:
Insulate Your Pipes
A common winter plumbing problem is frozen pipes. When water freezes, it expands and potentially causes pipes to burst. You can insulate exposed pipes in unheated areas like basements, attics, garages, and crawl spaces. You should use pipe insulation sleeves or heat tape to provide additional protection.
Keep the Heat On
Even if you’re planning to be away during the winter, it’s essential to keep your home’s heating system running. You can set your thermostat to a minimum of 55°F to ensure that your home interior stays warm enough to prevent the pipe freezing.
Let Faucets Drip
When temperatures drop significantly, you should allow a slow drip from faucets connected to exposed pipes. This keeps water moving and reduces the likelihood of freezing. A small water flow can prevent a big mishap later.
Disconnect Outdoor Hoses
Leaving garden hoses connected to outdoor spigots can trap water that may freeze and expand while damaging your pipes. You need to disconnect and store hoses before the first freeze. You can install frost-proof spigot covers for more protection.
Seal Cracks and Openings
Cold air can enter your home through cracks, gaps, and openings near your pipes and increase the risk of freezing. You need to inspect your walls, windows, and doors for any gaps and seal them with caulk or weatherstripping.
Maintain Your Water Heater
During winter, your water heater works much harder to provide hot water. You should flush your water heater annually to eliminate the sediment buildup and check the temperature setting. You should set it at 120°F for efficiency and safety.
Know Your Water Shut-Off Valve
During an emergency situation like a burst pipe, knowing the location of your main water shut-off valve can help you act quickly to minimize damage. You should ensure that the valve is easily accessible and test it to confirm it’s working properly.
Schedule a Professional Inspection
You should rely on a licensed plumber to inspect your pipes, drains, and water heater before winter. They can identify potential vulnerabilities and address minor issues before they escalate further into major problems.
Stay Ahead of Winter Woes
Protecting your home from winter plumbing disasters requires prior preparation. By taking these preventative measures, you can enjoy the season worry-free, knowing that your plumbing is ready to withstand the cold. If you encounter any plumbing issues this winter, you should never hesitate to contact a professional plumber near Elyria, Ohio – Active Rooter Plumbing & Drain for help. Whenever you need plumbing cleaning services in Elyria, we will get back to you as soon as possible. Let us help you stay warm and keep your pipes safe this winter.