How to Winterize Your Plumbing Pipes to Prevent Damage
Prevent Property Damage By Winterizing Your Pipes
If you’re a homeowner and there are cold, below-freezing temperatures in your forecast, don’t forget—your pipes should be winterized and protected from the harsh weather to prevent any incidents. But what does “winterizing your pipes” mean, and how do you do it? Don’t ice up—here’s what you need to know. Follow along with Joe the Plumber!
The Purpose of Winterizing Pipes
Most people know that when water freezes, it expands. While that is great news for our ice cubes, it’s bad news for water in contained areas—like in pipes. Pipes can easily freeze in cold temperatures, even in a short amount of time, causing them to burst. Even just one busted pipe is a major headache. It takes only one broken pipe to cause water damage and thousands of dollars in damage. Thankfully, winterizing your home and pipes isn’t difficult.
Here’s how:
1. Make a list of all the pipes
The first thing to do is make a comprehensive list of all the pipes inside and outside of your home. Even indoor pipes can burst, so it’s important to know where every pipe is to ensure they are all covered properly. Be sure to include pipes under sinks, in the laundry room, everywhere. It’s better to take time and be thorough than rush and miss a pipe. Joe the plumber offers a variety of plumbing services, contact us today for more information.
2. Turn off the main water valve
The next step is to turn off the water to the home. Most homes have a main water valve that’s able to be turned off. Don’t forget to turn off any water pumps and water heaters as well—you don’t want any water expanding in your water pump or heater and causing them to break.
3. Empty the valves
After shutting everything off, it’s time to empty every valve possible. Using your list of pipe locations, be sure to open both the hot and cold water on every faucet and valve. This will drain any excess water, preventing it from freezing. The valves and faucets should remain open throughout the extreme weather. Be sure to flush toilets as well and remove any water from the tank.
4. Insulating the pipes
If you’re still worried about pipes freezing, especially pipes outdoors, a smart idea is to cover them. There are a variety of materials available to use for insulating—pipe wrap insulation, slip-on foam, or insulation sleeves. These can be bought at a hardware or home improvement store. If no such materials are available, a slit pool noodle or towels can be used. Be sure to cover the pipe as much as you can—leaving any part of the pipe unwrapped can make the pipe vulnerable, which is bad.
5. Keep your house warm
Lastly, it’s crucial to keep your home warm. A heater should be used, if there’s one available, and set to at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s important to keep your heat on throughout the entire duration of the freezing weather. Be prepared for any power outages, and have a plan for warmth, whether that be with a generator or fireplace. Make sure crawl spaces, garages, and laundry rooms, and block any holes or vents that lead outside.
Hire A Licensed Plumber
Winterizing your pipes is tedious, but worthwhile. If you need help winterizing your pipes, or worse—your pipes end up frozen, despite your best efforts—don’t fret. Professionals like Joe The Plumber have decades of experience with plumbing and pipes. Joe The Plumber has proudly helped thousands of Houstonians throughout the years, with unmatched expertise, great customer service, and quality of work. To schedule a consultation or for a free estimate, please visit our website.
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