Now that Labor Day has come and gone, it’s time to think “fall” and get ready for winter. The changing colors and the falling leaves serve as a polite reminder to maintain your plumbing so you’re not left unprepared during the intense cold weather.
Here are some plumbing tips to prevent costly repairs throughout the winter months:
Disconnect outside water hoses – Disconnect and drain to ensure any leftover water has been removed. If left connected, water in the hoses can freeze and expand causing connecting faucets and pipes to freeze and break.
Cover outside faucets using a Styrofoam – These insulation kits can be easily found at home centers. This cheap and affordable option helps protect your outdoor faucets from freezing temperatures and keep the outside cold out.
Clear out your home’s gutters – Clear leaves and debris from outside gutters and downspouts that may block water from flowing and draining. This helps to ensure easy drainage when water freezes and thaws throughout the winter season.
Check your water heater – Testing your water heater can help reduce the chance of a leak caused by mineral and corrosion buildup. Start by setting your water heater’s thermostat to 120°F for optimum performance. Then, test the water heater’s pressure relief valve by lifting on the lever and letting it snap back. If hot water doesn’t rush out of the end of the drainpipe, call a professional to have a new valve installed.
Insulate or cover exposed piping – Most homeowners make the mistake of not insulating piping in a garage, crawl space, under your porch, or in other enclosed, but unheated areas. But they are just as vulnerable to freezing as other outside pipes. Avoid frozen pipes in the winter by insulating all exposed pipes in unheated areas of your home.
By taking preventative measures with these fall plumbing tips, you can avoid a lot of potential winter plumbing problems. If you still run into plumbing issues during the winter, contact A. Borrelli for quality plumbing repair services.
