5 Steps to Get Your Plumbing System Ready for Winter

Homes and other residential spaces located in areas that experience all four seasons have been shown to have significantly more problems than those located in areas that only experience two or less. This is because, as the weather changes and evolves, there are numerous changes and shifts in the behavior of the plumbing system and the fixtures that comprise it. To minimize damage, a good homeowner should prepare the building and plumbing system for these changes. In turn, this will result in a more efficient plumbing system with damage-free features. Here are the most basic but effective steps to help you do just that:

Make use of a hose bib.

Hose bibs are designed specifically for outdoor taps to keep them from bursting during the winter season. This device is useful for preventing frost accumulation when there is excess water stored and forgotten inside the pipes. Check that all hoses, outdoor taps, and other water supply fixtures are connected before winter arrives. As a precaution, connect all outdoor taps to a single pipeline so that the shut-off valve you need to activate during the winter is in a single location.

Pipes should be insulated.

This is one of the simplest methods of maintaining a pipe. You only need to wrap the pipes in insulators and warmer blankets. This precaution will ensure that they do not freeze during the winter. Avoiding freezing will save you from having busted and non-functional pipes and a faulty plumbing system. Pipes that are most likely to freeze are those that are in remote areas or are exposed to the elements, such as attics and yards.

Examine your kitchen drains.

Checking your drains and kitchen sinks should be on your to-do list before winter arrives. This will save you a lot of time and trouble during the winter. When you inspect your drains, you will be able to tell which parts or fixtures are likely to be damaged during the winter, giving you a heads-up on potential problems and allowing you to prepare solutions ahead of time. Make sure to clean out your drain pipes to prevent any accumulation and blockage in the winter because it is usually very difficult to fix plumbing issues during this time because the weather restricts you from doing too much activity.

Keep the sprinkler on.

During the winter, you won’t be able to use your sprinklers. It is best to prepare them by completely shutting them down and draining them of water so that it does not collect inside the fixture and cause damage to the equipment. During installation, you can install a shut-off valve on the supply line connecting the sprinklers to the water mains so that all you have to do during the winter is activate the valve.

Distribute heat throughout the home.

It is critical that your interior design does not include any contrasting ceilings or walls. Also, during the winter, make sure to pump heat throughout the house to prevent freeze accumulation in the pipes that are embedded inside your walls. Another tip is to leave cupboards and doors open to allow warm air to seep into the wall.