When the coldest days of the winter are about to set in, it is a good idea to prepare your home’s plumbing. This is not as difficult as it may initially sound as there are simple tasks any homeowner can do to ensure their pipes are not impacted by the harsh winter weather.
Close All Foundation Vents
The foundation vents in a home are located on the lowest level and their purpose is to allow air to pass through for the purpose of reducing mold and moisture in crawl space areas. But when the weather turns frigid, that air that passes through has the potential to freeze pipes. A cold breeze may also impact any existing air leaks, so it is a good idea to keep those vents shut on the coldest days of the winter.
Let the Water Drip
When you learn that cold air is coming your way, leave hot and cold water dripping especially on plumbing fixtures that are located on an exterior wall. The exterior walls will get very cold, but even a drip will keep water moving through the pipes and make it more difficult to freeze. When the temperature dips below freezing, this is an excellent precautionary measure to take to protect your plumbing.
Insulate
Crawl spaces, garages and windows in a basement are all susceptible to letting the chill of winter into your home. Insulating all those areas adds a protective layer against the impending chill of winter. This is important because the more frigid air you let in, the more susceptible your pipes are to freezing. Insulating those areas also has the added perk of improving your home’s energy efficiency.
Keep the Temperature High
Many homeowners will look to save on heating costs by raising the temperature inside their home at night and lowering it during the day. Programmable thermostats make this a simple task. But when it is very cold, keeping the temperature at that higher setting will protect your plumbing. This will keep the pipes warmer at all times.
Turn off Outdoor Faucets
Outdoor faucets and hoses should be turned off for the winter. It is suggested that homeowners disconnect all hoses because they could still contain some water. If that freezes, it could create larger plumbing problems. Part of winterizing your home means attending to the outdoor water system. Any sprinkler systems should also be drained and shut down.
When a homeowner discovers a leak, the first thing to do is turn off the home’s main valve. Also, use extreme caution as standing water can be a dangerous electrical hazard. Residential and commercial plumbing repairs Fort Mills SC are fast and efficient when Best Rate Plumbing is called on. The quicker you act on the problem the better.