The weather is cooling off, and we’re approaching the cold days of winter. Christmas, New Years, Valentine’s Day, and snow are all great things to look forward to for the winter season. Unfortunately, many people forget about one of the most important things to think about: plumbing. Plumbing tends to be something that none of us think about, that is, until it’s too late. It’s easy to let maintenance and more fall to the wayside, but winterizing your home for the winter is one of the most important things to do to prevent unnecessary costs and damage. In today’s post, we’re going to look at winter plumbing issues to watch out for.
Hose Bibs
Whether you’re watering plants or washing the car, a working hose bib is a great thing to have. As winter approaches, you need to think about how you’re going to protect your outside hose bibs. You can’t just simply leave the valve off. Even if the bib is off and the hose is on, you’re likely to experience some problems. When water freezes, the ice expands into the hose and bib connections that will cause them to burst. The best thing to do in the winter is to disconnect the hose and cover the bib with one of those Styrofoam caps.
Water Supply Lines
Regarding your water supply lines, it is crucial to make sure they’re ready in the winter. If your water lines are in a heated space, then this isn’t such an issue. If you do have lines in an unheated space, you should insulate your pipes. You can buy pipe insulation that easily slips onto the pipes to prevent freezing, cracking, or bursting. Sometimes, though, depending on the location of the pipes, you may need a professional. If you don’t have the means or ability to insulate all your pipes, you need to consider leaving your water on a drip overnight—when the temperatures are lowest. The consistent water flow will keep the pipes warm enough so they don’t freeze.
Sump Pump
The last important thing you need to make sure is in working order before winter is here is your sump pump. With heavy snow and melting, you need to be ready for a high water table. You should make sure your sump pump is in working order all year long, but winter is especially important. Not only will the conditions not be ideal for fixing things if something goes wrong, but the pump could freeze and seize up. So, have the pump cleaned out and serviced well in advance of winter so you can avoid that headache of a flooding crawlspace or basement.
Reach Out To The Premier Plumbing Service In Durham
Now, you know the winter plumbing issues to watch out for. The best way to get ahead of these problems is to have your home’s plumbing system professionally inspected and assessed for any issues. So, contact us today! At Drain Express, we will provide you with world-class service and honest opinions. We are here to help you this winter.