It’s officially that time of year when the fall decorations have been put out on the front porch and the pool toys are packed away in the garage. As the seasons change, so does the weather, which means a few adjustments always need to be made around the house. If your house is typically the gathering place during this time of year for holiday dinners and parties, you’ll want to make sure your plumbing system is in tip-top shape to ensure happy guests.
In this blog, we’ll be sharing a few tips on how you can prepare your plumbing system for winter to ensure a comfortable household all season long. Although your plumbing system is probably something you don’t normally think about until there’s a problem with it, following these tips will help prevent any plumbing nightmares this winter!
Disconnect Outdoor Hoses
Throughout summer and even early fall, your outdoor hoses and sprinklers were probably of great use. However, there’s really no need for them in the winter. Leaving your hoses connected in the winter is a recipe for disaster. Not only can the water inside the hose freeze, but the ice can make its way into your home’s pipes, and we all know what happens when your pipes freeze. Frozen pipes can cost up to thousands of dollars worth of damage, so when you have a minute, go outside and disconnect your outdoor hoses. Once they’re disconnected, drain them of any leftover water and store them in a dry place during the winter.
Turn Off Outdoor Faucets
Once your hoses are disconnected, turn off the outdoor faucets. Simply open the faucet and bleeder cap on the shutoff valve to drain any leftover water out of the pipe. This step is very important as the leftover water can end up freezing and cracking your pipe.
Insulate Your Pipes
You know that cozy feeling of bundling up in warm clothes in the winter? Treat your pipes the same way! The cold weather can really affect your pipes, so keeping them insulated during this time of year will prevent them from freezing. You can find various kinds of pipe insulation at your local hardware or home improvement stores for relatively inexpensive prices.
Check for Leaks
While you were spending most of your time outside during summer and early fall, you might have been putting off repairing a few indoor plumbing issues, such as a leaking faucet. Not only can a leak cause your water bill to skyrocket, but it can cause serious issues for your plumbing system when the temperatures drop. Go around your house and check your fixtures and pipes for any noticeable leaks. If you find one, let our team at Precision Plumbing, Heating & Air know and we’ll be right out to repair it.
Inspect Your Water Heater
Can you name something worse than taking an unexpected cold shower in the middle of winter? We can’t either. Your water heater’s job is to keep the water in your home hot so you can comfortably take showers, do your dishes, and wash your clothes. However, if there are issues with your water heater, you might face some cold showers and tedious laundry days. Over time, water heaters will collect a good amount of sediment at the bottom of the tank, which can prevent the water from heating up. It’s best to have a professional come take a look at your water heater before the temperatures drop to ensure there are no issues with your unit.
If there are any problems, Precision Plumbing, Heating & Air will be able to repair them just in time for winter.
Whether it’s a leak repair or water heater repair, our team has your back! We always want to make sure you’re comfortable in your home no matter what time of year it is, so don’t hesitate to give us a call at (803) 310-6262 to make your repair appointments.