As colder weather approaches, it’s important to take some time to prepare your plumbing for winter. By following these tips, you can help keep your plumbing in good condition and avoid any potential problems.
Tip 1: Inspect Your Pipes and Fixtures
The first step to prepare your plumbing for winter is to give your pipes a good inspection. Look for any cracks, leaks, or other damage. If you find any issues, fix them right away. This will help prevent any serious problems from happening down the road.
Tip 2: Prepare Your Plumbing for Winter by Insulating Your Pipes
A simple way to prevent any annoying pipe problems is to insulate your pipes. You can do this with special insulation, or even an old sweater will work in a pinch. Wrap them up tightly, making sure that you cover any exposed water supply lines. It’s especially important to insulate pipes in colder areas of the home like the crawl space or basement.
Tip 3: Make Sure Everything’s Turned Off if You’re Away from Home
Check to make sure that all of your faucets and valves are turned off tightly. Leaving them open can lead to serious water damage if the temperature drops below freezing. It’s easiest to do this from the main water shut-off valve. Leave your thermostat set at no less than 55 degrees to further prevent issues.
Tip 4: Take Care of the Outdoors
If you have a sprinkler system, make sure that it’s drained completely. Turn off the water supply to outdoor faucets. Completely drain the faucet and related plumbing, including any attached hoses. This will keep water from freezing inside these components when the temperatures drop. Disconnect your garden hose and store it safely inside until warmer weather returns.
Tip 5: Get a Plumber’s Help to Prepare Your Plumbing for Winter
If all of this is too much for you to handle on your own, don’t be afraid to call in a professional plumber. They’ll be able to pinpoint vulnerable areas and help take care of any of your plumbing needs, from fixing a leaky faucet to fixing a frozen pipe.
In Conclusion
Preparedness is key when it comes to winterizing your home, and that includes your plumbing system! Follow these five tips to help prepare your plumbing for winter. By taking care of these tasks now, you can help avoid any costly and inconvenient repairs later on.
Guardian Home Inspection Services provides home inspection services in Michigan. If you’re buying or selling a home, contact us to request an appointment.