Winterize Your Plumbing
During winter, you should always prepare your plumbing for extreme temperatures that lead to freezing pipes. You must take the necessary steps to ensure your pipes stay intact and burst, leaving you with a costly repair bill and a big mess to clean up.
You can take simple steps to ensure this doesn't happen. Read on for an in-depth guide about preparing your plumbing system for freezing temperatures.
Step 1: Insulate Your Pipes
The easiest thing you can do is insulate your pipes. This will help keep them warm and prevent them from freezing during cold weather. Ensure to use insulation rated for outdoor use; otherwise, it won't be effective at keeping the cold out. The more insulation you use, the better your pipes will be protected from extreme temperatures.
Step 2: Install Heated Tape or Cables
Next, consider installing heated tape or cables around any exposed pipes in your home. This uses electricity to generate heat and keep the water inside your pipes from freezing.
They are relatively inexpensive and easy to install; however, they should only be used if you're comfortable working with electrical wiring. If not, call a professional plumber who can safely install them.
Step 3: Keep Faucets Running Slowly
When temperatures drop below freezing, let the water run slowly from all of the faucets in your home – even those that are rarely used. Keeping water flowing helps prevent pressure buildup in the pipes, which can cause them to burst if they get too full of ice.
It also keeps water circulating through them so they don't freeze solid as quickly as they would otherwise. Letting the faucets run may seem like a waste of water, but it's much better than dealing with frozen (potentially burst) pipes.
Step 4: Open Cabinet Doors
If exposed pipes are under sinks or near exterior walls, open their cabinet doors so warm air can circulate around them easily. This helps keep these areas warm and prevents ice from forming inside the cabinets, which could cause damage if left unchecked for too long.
Ensure all doors are completely open so there’s plenty of room for air circulation.
These four steps will help protect your home’s plumbing system during cold weather. Don’t forget that prevention is always better than cure when dealing with frozen pipes – so make sure you follow these tips before temperatures dip to freezing.
If something goes wrong, contact a professional plumber from AWS Plumbing, Heating & Cooling at (516) 217-2196 right away. We will diagnose and fix any problems quickly and safely before they become serious issues down the line. With proper preparation and maintenance now, you'll be able to enjoy worry-free winters ahead.
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