Harsh winter weather and freezing temperatures can be really hard on plumbing. A few simple preventative steps taken now, however, can help protect it and.
Are you preparing your home for the coming winter season? We suggest these 7 Plumbing Tips to protect your plumbing fixtures and your home from frozen pipes:
Water leaks, no matter the season, waste a significant amount of water and add to utility costs. Leaks should be addressed as soon as possible. When a leaky area freezes in the winter, the expanding water will cause even further damage. The freezing has now increased size of the leak which means the repair is greater as well, which will cost more money for the repair.
Remember to remove all outdoor garden hoses from outside faucets and store them away for winter. Hoses left connected outside can freeze and rupture (hoses are expensive!).
Drain down the outdoor shower. We find people often forget about their outdoor shower, only to find the pipes burst or shower fixtures ruined from frozen water come springtime.
Remember to shut off water going to outside spigots, faucets, and any other water sources.
A freeze-proof outdoor faucet is the answer to protecting your water pipes going to outdoor spigots. This type of outdoor faucet looks and operates the same as any other spigot, but it has an extra-long barrel. They are designed for installation on the side of the house. The longer pipe reaches further into the warmer area of your house where the water is kept behind a shutoff valve that won’t freeze.
People often forget water pipes in and around the garage during winter, leaving the garage door open for extended periods of time. This large open area lets in frigid temperatures very quickly, so be sure to close the garage door promptly during winter months.
If you’re going on vacation during the cold winter months, even for a short period of time, don’t set you thermostats below 62 degrees. Many people think that 50 degrees is fine, but this will leave colder areas of your house vulnerable to freezing temperatures when the overall heat is kept that low. The cost of burst pipes and the damage they cause is far more expensive than spending a few dollars more maintaining a higher thermostat temperature.
If you are going out of town for an extended period of time, more than a couple weeks, it is not a bad idea to shut the water main off for the house and drain your interior pipes. Then you can turn the heat off, or leave it turned down low, and still protect your pipes.
Getting your home and your plumbing systems ready for winter isn’t difficult, but it does require a little attention. If you have any plumbing concerns or active water leaks, give New Energy Solutions a call. We can do your plumbing repairs before winter hits.
We also offer plumbing winterizing services if you’re headed to warmer destinations this winter and want to shut down your water and plumbing.
For all your plumbing needs, please CONTACT US (speed dial 207-699-6199) for prompt, professional service!
