How To Prepare Your Plumbing For The Cold & Freezing Weather

A little maintenance now can go a long way all winter season

One of the questions we’re asked the most at Joe the Plumber is “how do I prepare my plumbing work for the winter season?” While most people remember to tune up their furnace, not as many people consider their plumbing.

Colder temperatures can lead to burst pipes, and those can lead to expensive water damage repairs. Don’t let that happen to you!

Take the following precautions before each winter to prevent the likelihood of a water pipe bursting in your home.

1. Make sure all drains and gutters are clear of debris.
   1. Obviously, drains and gutters can’t properly function if they’re clogged. Clean them all out before the weather begins to turn.
2. Inspect your water heater.
   1. No one likes to discover there’s something wrong when they take a cold shower on a cold winter’s morning. Take a good look at your heater and ensure there aren’t any obvious issues.
3. Inspect all outlets for leaks and drips.
   1. If left ignored, these can turn into frozen pipes, which aren’t good during any season.
4. Don’t leave any pipes exposed.
   1. If you have any water pipes left out in the open, be sure to properly insulate them to prevent freezing.
5. Put away the garden hoses for the season.
   1. Once again, not doing so can cause them to freeze, and this can especially be a problem if they’re still connected to a water outlet.
6. Shut off any exterior water faucets for the season.
   1. This is the same principle as with leaky outlets. You don’t want a problem with something freezing.
7. If you’re going away for an extended period, be sure to shut off your water valve.
   1. This will help to prevent any freezing or flooding issues while you’re gone.

Although Texas winter weather isn’t nearly as harsh as winter weather is up north, it still poses obstacles for your plumbing.

Along with this checklist, it’s good to have your plumbing inspected by a professional before winter begins. For those in the Houston, Tomball, Cypress, Katy, Spring, and Magnolia areas, Joe the Plumber is the reliable professional to trust.

We’ll make sure everything is in order before the colder weather strikes. And if something does go wrong, we’re standing by with 24-hour emergency plumbing services.

Contact us to schedule a service call!