In the United States, the average family of four uses about 400 gallons of water each day. The plumbing systems in your home go through a lot of wear and tear. To make sure that your plumbing system lasts s long as possible, it is important to prepare your plumbing for winter!
Do you want to learn more about how you can avoid unnecessary damage to your plumbing and what steps you must take before the winter months?
Keep reading this guide for the top steps to follow to protect your plumbing and pipes!
Shut Off Outdoor Faucets
One of the first things you should do to protect your plumbing in the winter is to shut off your outdoor faucets. There are shutoff valves outside that you can turn to drain the pipe and prevent your outdoor water systems from freezing and cracking.
When you turn off your outdoor water, you should also disconnect any garden hoses you have outside. Drain all of the water from these hoses before you store them for the winter months.
Insulate Your Pipes
Insulating your pipes is another important part of plumbing maintenance that can help you prevent frozen pipes. It is especially important that you insulate your pipes in areas that don’t get heated in your home, like an attic or a garage.
Pipe insulation and heat cables will prevent the water in your pipes from freezing and expanding, which can result in flooding.
Check Your Pipes for Leaks
If your pipes are leaking, even the smallest amount of water can cause your pipes to freeze and burst. When you insulate your pipes, you should always check for signs of leaking! This can include stained ceilings and walls, visible mold, and even a musty smell in your home.
You can also ask a professional plumber for an inspection to check your pipes for leaks.
Keep Your Home Warm
Finally, it is essential that you keep your home warm during the winter season! If you leave your heat off, it increases the risk that your pipes will burst. Make sure you don’t turn off your furnace, even if you are going away for the holidays.
Similarly, you should always shut off the water lines in your home if you are leaving town for more than a few days. Not only can this prevent pipes from freezing, but it will also prevent issues with flooding in your home.
If you need help with any other plumbing maintenance or repair, finding a professional plumbing service can help!
Learn How to Prepare Your Plumbing for Winter Today
As a homeowner, learning how to prepare your plumbing for winter can prevent many unnecessary repairs and will keep your plumbing running smoothly all year long! Following each of these tips can make your plumbing maintenance simple and effective.
If you need help caring for your plumbing system, Alco Air can help! We provide plumbing services in Longview, TX, and can help you with plumbing maintenance, installation, and repair.
Contact us today to learn more about our services or to schedule an appointment!