It's winter, and there is no better time to start preparing your pipes for the potential extreme cold that may come with it. Being diligent can potentially save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars in costly repairs. Let's face it, with even a few hundred extra dollars in your pocket, you can have a lot more fun, or buy something awesome you've been wanting. That's why I'd love to take a moment today and provide you with some great tips that will help you avoid having to call a plumber due to damaged pipes from adverse weather conditions.
1. The first step in avoiding costly plumbing bills is to do your best to avoid frozen pipes. One way you can tell if a pipe is possibly frozen is by keeping an eye on the water pressure. If you notice restricted water flower it's quite possibly you have a frozen pipe and it would be best to call a plumber ASAP.
2. I remember my mom teaching me this trick, it's an oldie but goodie. Let cold water trickle from your faucets. This is best done during the evening when the temperatures reach their peak coldness. Why does this help? Well, moving water does not freeze, so this will keep you pipes from freezing even in extreme cold temperature.
3. Disconnect any garden hoses and drain outdoor pipes. Ice can form in the line and cause a water line break. This can be extremely damaging to your home and quickly become very costly.
4. install insulated faucet jackets to the exterior lines of your home. This will protect your exterior faucets from freezing in cold temperatures. Be sure to also use the shut off valves inside your home to ensure that all of the water is drained from the pipes leading to the outdoor hose bibs. You can usually find these in crawl spaces, near hot water heaters, or beneath your sink. Some homes do not have these valves.
5. Close garage doors, and crawl space vents. This is very important if you have your hot water heater in the garage.
6. Ensure that there is no snow restricting your water drainage. Keep an eye on the area around your sump pump discharge line used to avoid flooding indoors. This line is typically located in the basement and drains to the outside of the house.If these are left unchecked, water may back-up into your house.
7. Be sure to keep a warm air flow going through the house. It should be at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit. This helps to keep your pipes from freezing. Opening your cabinet doors under sinks and where pipes are located as well, this helps keep pipes a bit warmer.
if you follow all of the above steps you shouldn't have to worry much about having any plumbing emergencies this winter. Enjoy the holidays!
