How to Winter-Proof Your Home Plumbing System?

Plumbing problems during winter are the worst!

Think about the inconvenience, effort, and cost. Everything is doubled during peak winters. So, as the temperature continues to drop, you better winterise your home’s plumbing system.

Here’s a list of 10 ways you can winter-proof your plumbing system, with or without the help of your Plumber in Baxter. With these preventative measures, you can avoid costly repairs.

1. Insulate Your Pipes

Insulating your pipes is one of the most important things you can do to winter-proof your plumbing. It will help prevent them from freezing and bursting when the temperature drops.

You can buy pipe insulation at any hardware store. And you can simply cut the insulation to size and wrap it around your pipes. Make sure to seal any gaps or cracks so cold air can't get in.

In case you don’t have the time to do it yourself, you can seek any Professional Plumbing Service in Baxter to do it for you.

2. Keep Your Heating On

Another way to winter-proof your plumbing is to keep your heating on, even when you are not home. It will help ensure your pipes stay put while you are away.

If you are going on vacation, turn up your thermostat to a couple more degrees to ensure your place is warm and safe.

3. Know Where Your Water Shutoff Valve Is

In the event that your pipes do freeze and burst, it's important to know where your water shutoff valve is. It will allow you to quickly turn off the water and minimise the damage.

The shutoff valve is usually located near the water meter or where the main water line enters your home. Get to know the exact location before winter approaches! In fact, it is better to know this at all times.

4. Drain Outdoor Faucets

If you have an outdoor faucet, make sure to drain it before the cold weather hits. To do it, simply turn on the faucet and let all the water out until it runs dry. It will help prevent your outdoor faucet from freezing and bursting.

5. Check for Leaks

It is also a good idea to check for leaks in your plumbing system before the cold weather sets in. Even a tiny leak can cause significant problems when temperatures drop below freezing.

To check for leaks, turn on all the faucets in your home and see if there are any leaks. If you spot a leak, be sure to have it fixed as soon as possible by a licensed plumber in Baxter.

6. Install Frost-Free Sill Cocks

Frost-free sill cocks are not the same as your typical facets. A frost-free sill cock has three parts—a valve, a seater, and a washer. These working parts are located inside a wall instead of at the faucet.

After the installation, all it takes is a simple downward pitch to drain water from the pipe every time you turn off the faucet.

7. Leave Taps Running During a Deep Freeze

A deep freeze or cold snap is a period of extreme cold temperatures. It is crucial to take care of your plumbing during this time. If not, the trouble is double the usual.

If frozen pipes do develop, a trickling faucet works as a relief valve for the built-up pressure. By relieving the pressure, you can prevent frozen pipes from cracking. All you need is a trickle.

Your next water bill will go up a little, but that's a little thing to pay for compared to costly home repairs.

However, do not keep the faucet running if the drain is on an outside wall. It may freeze the drain, resulting in an overflowing sink.

8. Get Heat Cable

For delicate pipes, heat cables work wonders. To prevent the pipe from freezing, they contain an integrated thermostat that monitors the temperature of the pipe and controls the heat as necessary.

But double-check if the wire is plugged properly into an accessible outlet.

9. Check the Water Heater Location

Check the location of your water heater. Do you have it in a warm room, a cold basement, or an outdoor closet?

If it is not in a heated section of the house, consider having your unit moved by a professional plumbing service in Baxter or add more insulation to the appliance.

10. Insulate Garage

Finally, if the garage has water lines, at the very least, insulate the garage door. You can insulate the whole garage if possible.

You may think about using insulation and heat cables together. Also, you can try installing a portable heater inside the garage if it's extremely chilly. Usually, you can pull it off by yourself, but if you can’t, you may also get help from your regular plumber in Baxter.

Conclusion

These are a few ways to winter-proof your plumbing system. By taking these precautions, you can avoid many costly repairs. However, some things are unpredictable. You may also have the contact numbers of your local plumber in Baxter.

For safety, you may also make a note of other professional plumbing services in Baxter. Because if your regular plumber can’t make it, you will have a few other alternatives.

So, what are the plumbing problems you face during winter? Let us know in the comments below!

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Created on Nov 22nd 2022 23:02. Viewed 150 times.

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