While winter comes with excitement for the holiday festivities, one thing you shouldn’t forget is to prepare your plumbing for the cold weather. Doing this is crucial, especially if you’re planning to leave your house unattended for days or weeks.
Winterizing your home will prevent your pipes, sump pumps, and other plumbing components from freezing and getting damaged, resulting in costly repairs. Here are some tips that can help you:
Leave Your Faucets Dripping
While we’re used to avoiding leaving faucets at home dripping, it is actually a good idea to do so during winter. Unmoving water can freeze and cause burst pipes, so letting water trickle out and move freely during cold nights will be beneficial for your plumbing.
Keep Your Home Warm
Maintaining a warm indoor temperature is a simple way to ensure your plumbing won’t freeze during winter. Keeping your thermostat at least 55 degrees or higher is best, even when you’re away from home. You can also open sink cabinets in the kitchen and bathroom so your pipes will get more warmth.
Seal off Any Air Leaks
Check your doors, windows, and the rest of your home’s exteriors for any cracks or holes. Sealing these off for the winter will help prevent cold air from entering your home and affecting your plumbing. You can do this by using either spray foam insulation or caulking.
Shut Off the Outside Water Supply
This is essential if you are going on an extended holiday vacation. After turning off the outdoor shut-off valve, open your faucets to ensure all the water drains out. By doing so, you can keep outside faucets from leaking and prevent frozen pipes. Besides that, you should also disconnect your garden hose to make sure no water gets lodged in your faucet and freezes.
Get Help From a Plumbing Professional
Learning about winterizing your home plumbing will help prevent issues that will not only cause inconvenience but may also require expensive repair or replacement. If you need further assistance, call a plumber. Get in touch with HJ Pertzborn Plumbing & Fire Protection in Madison, WI for reliable plumbing services.