You probably already know that water expands when it freezes. This isn’t good when it comes to your plumbing! Luckily, there are ways you can prepare your plumbing for winter so disaster doesn’t strike your pipes.
1. Insulate Your Indoor and Outdoor Pipes
The last thing you want to deal with this winter is your pipes freezing and bursting. Pipes that are located in any unheated area, such as your attic, garage, basement, or crawl space, are usually more susceptible to freezing temperature in the winter. Insulating your pipes is your first line of defense against frozen pipes.
2. Turn Off Your Outdoor Faucets
As you start to store away all your garden tools and patio furniture for the rest of the year, don’t forget to also shut off all outdoor faucets while you’re at it. First, make sure you open your outdoor faucets to allow any excess water to flow out before turning off the shutoff valve. If you don’t do this, you’ll risk a pipe freezing and cracking this winter.
3. Don’t Turn Off Your Furnace
Leaving for vacation? You may think the best thing to do is turn off your furnace while you’re away. After all, why have your home heated if you’re not there to enjoy it? However, this isn’t what you should do. Keep your furnace on and turned up just enough to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. Otherwise, you run the risk of your pipes freezing if the house gets too cold.
4. Leave The Faucets Turned On Overnight
We don’t mean leave your faucets running at full blast overnight, but let them drip ever so slightly if you know the temperatures are going to drop. Letting out a tiny amount of water will release some of that pressure built up inside your pipes, which can prevent pipes from bursting.
5. Check For Air Drafts
If you have any wall cracks, or gaps in your door or window, it can let cold air inside. Not only does this put strain on your heating equipment, but it can also wreak havoc on your plumbing pipes. It’s best to check for any signs of drafts and seal any cracks or gaps this winter. Cold air can seep through these cracks and cause your pipes to freeze.
6. Open Your Cabinet Doors
When your cabinets are closed in the wintertime, warm air can’t easily reach your pipes. One good way to ensure you have warm air circulating near your pipes is to open your kitchen or bathroom cabinets and let the air through.
Is Your Plumbing Ready For Winter? Contact The Pros at Home Service Solutions Today For All Your Plumbing Needs in Loveland, CO and Surrounding Areas!
At Home Service Solutions, we offer plumbing services you can count on. To learn more about what we can do for you and your family, contact us today at 970-840-0868 or online here.
