Winter is a critical time to take steps to maintain your plumbing and protect the pipes. The cold weather can be tough on plumbing systems, causing burst pipes, water damage, and costly repairs. Here are a few helpful tips to protect your plumbing in winter and reduce the likelihood of damage or flooding in your home.
Protect Your Plumbing in Winter: Insulate the Pipes
Insulating your pipes is one of the most important things you can do to protect them from freezing temperatures. Insulation helps keep the heat in, preventing pipes from freezing and bursting during cold weather. Purchase pipe insulation at any hardware store, and install it yourself. Wrap all exposed pipes before the coldest days of winter arrive, especially those on exterior walls.
Disconnect Garden Hoses
If you haven’t already done so, disconnect garden hoses from outside faucets and store them safely indoors until spring arrives. If water is inside a hose attached to an outdoor tap, it could cause damage to both the spigot and the pipe if the water freezes. Remove the hoses and drain them. Turn off the water supply to outdoor faucets and your sprinkler system and drain them before freezing temperatures arrive.
Keep the Faucets Dripping
When the temperature drops, a small trickle of water running through the pipes can help keep them from freezing. A slow drip is usually enough to protect the plumbing without wasting much water.
Open Cabinet Doors: Protect Your Plumbing in Winter
Opening cabinet doors is a low-cost and simple solution to help protect your plumbing from freezing temperatures. This action is an easy way to avoid costly repairs, ensuring that your home’s plumbing system remains safe when it’s cold outside.
During frigid weather, keep your home warm (set the thermostat to at least 55 degrees F) and ensure good circulation around plumbing pipes, so they don’t freeze and sustain damage. Opening both sides of the cabinet doors creates better air flow which can help keep water lines from becoming too cold, especially if the sink is on an exterior wall.
These steps will help keep your home’s plumbing system in good condition throughout the winter season. Prevention is critical when protecting the plumbing pipes – so don’t wait until it’s freezing outside to take action. With these tips in mind, you’ll be well on your way to protecting your plumbing from freezing temperatures.
DJR Home Inspections provides inspection services to central and southern New Jersey customers. Contact us to schedule an appointment.