Winter is right around the corner, which brings concerns about protecting your home’s plumbing. A burst pipe can be messy–not to mention costly. Fortunately, there are some easy ways to help prevent a plumbing disaster this winter.
Keep reading for Pacific Plumbing’s top tips when preparing your plumbing for winter.
OUTSIDE HOME WINTERIZATION
Follow these helpful tips when winterizing the outside of your home.
WINTERIZE PIPES OUTSIDE
Disconnect garden hoses from your faucets and blow out sprinkler systems. Insulate faucets with outdoor faucet covers that are sold at most hardware and home improvement stores. If your property has a shut-off valve for external faucets, turn it off for the winter.
CLEAN OUTDOOR DRAINS
Leaves and other debris can clog your gutters, downspouts, and catch basins. This can lead to soil erosion, pooling water, and basement flooding. Rainwater in your gutters can also freeze and damage your gutters.
SEAL CRACKS
This tip applies to both the inside and outside of your home. Walk around your home and look for any cracks that will allow cold air to enter your home. Then, fill them with caulk or foam spray.
INDOOR HOME WINTERIZATION
Follow these tips when winterizing the inside of your home.
APPLY PIPE SLEEVES
If you have pipes in your crawl space, garage, basement, or any other space that’s unheated, you’ll want to ensure your pipes are insulated. You can wrap them with slip-on foam insulation and/or use heat tape for vulnerable pipes.
ALLOW FAUCETS TO DRIP WATER
Allowing your faucets to drip, even just a trickle of water will help relieve pressure on your home’s plumbing system. You don’t have to leave every faucet on, just the ones with vulnerable pipes.
LEAVE CABINETS OPEN
Open your bathroom and kitchen cabinets to allow the warm air in your home to circulate around your pipes.
KEEP YOUR THERMOSTAT SETTINGS CONSISTENT
Although you may be tempted to adjust your thermostat to save on your energy bill, you’re better off keeping your thermostat at the same temperature during the day and the night. The cost of a slightly higher energy bill is far less compared to the cost of a burst pipe and water damage.
If you have any questions or don’t have the necessary equipment to perform any of these home winterization steps, please don’t hesitate to give us a call. We proudly serve homeowners and businesses in the Portland and Vancouver area, and can winterize your plumbing for you to ensure your home or business is protected over the winter.
