PREVENT FROZEN PIPES: 6 WINTER MAINTENANCE TIPS

When water freezes inside pipes, it does more than just make it hard to get the faucets to flow. The expanding ice can cause the pipes to burst and release hundreds of gallons of water into your house. If you are not home when this happens, then you can end up facing serious water damage on top of the plumbing issues.

The good news is that preparing your house's pipes for winter is a fairly simple process. Follow this guide to reduce the chances of your pipes freezing this winter so that you can enjoy the cooler season.

Outdoor plumbing is exposed to colder temperatures and freezing precipitation that places it at greater risk of water freezing inside. Disconnect any water hoses from the outdoor spigots and allow them to drain before you place them in storage. Then, place an insulated cover over the spigot to protect it from freezing temperatures.

If you have an outdoor kitchen, then you will also need to shut the water off on any pipes that run from the sink to the indoor plumbing. Ideally, this should be done using an indoor shut-off valve because it is less likely to freeze.

Drain all of the water lines completely and leave the drain valves open. Remember to do this for all of the water supply lines, so double-check to make sure that you do not forget a less obvious one, such as the line that runs to the ice maker.

Exposed pipes are more likely to freeze in cold temperatures, and this is especially true if the pipes run through unheated areas, such as the garage, basement and attic. Check these areas to find all of the exposed pipes in your house.

Once you have identified the pipe locations, cover the pipes with foam insulating sleeves or heat tape. You will also want to do what you can to keep these areas as warm as possible, such as by keeping the garage door closed or closing off the crawl space.

During the winter season, you will need to keep the inside of your house above freezing temperatures. Arrange for a furnace inspection to ensure that any potential problems are addressed before the freezing weather arrives. This way, you can rely on the warm air to help prevent the pipes from freezing.

When freezing temperatures are predicted, you will need to take a few more additional steps to protect the pipes. Start by opening any cabinet doors beneath sinks to ensure that the warm air is able to reach the pipes. Make sure to do this in both the kitchen and any bathrooms in your house.

Then, leave the faucets turned on just enough to leave a slow drip running into the sink. This helps to relieve pressure in the pipes and prevents ice from accumulating.

If you plan to travel during freezing weather, make sure to keep your thermostat set high enough to keep the pipes warm. Then, you can take the added step of shutting off the water to your house at the main valve and draining the lines. This way, there will not be water running through the pipes.

At Art Douglas Plumbing Inc., we are available 24-hours a day for emergency situations like a burst pipe. Give us a call today to learn more about how we can help you prepare your house for winter.