It’s that time of year again in Southeast PA! The temperatures are dropping, the leaves are changing, and fall is in full swing.
With the colder winter months, fast approaching, it’s extremely important that you make sure your home or office plumbing is prepared to face the elements. When the temperatures start to plummet, unprepared plumbing systems can begin to experience increased clogs, damaged pipes, or flooding.
At The Plumbing Works, we want to ensure that our customers understand everything there is to know about preparing your pipes for cold weather. Check out this brief list of five important
things to remember as you prepare your plumbing for fall and winter.
Take Care of Any Nagging Leaks
When it comes time to prep your pipes for fall and winter, one of the first things you should do is to repair any existing leaks in your system.
In the dog days of summer, a minor faucet drip may seem like a minor issue, but when colder weather hits, even the smallest of leaks can cause major problems.
Typically, leaks in your pipes are indicative of weak spots. In colder temperatures, the water in your pipes will naturally begin to expand. With enough increased pressure, it is possible for the pipe to burst in these weakened areas.
Not only is this a major inconvenience and a huge mess, but it can also be quite expensive to repair. Taking the time to have even minor leaks repaired by a professional can save you a lot of time, money, and headaches throughout the already stressful winter months.
Winterize Outdoor Faucets
Outdoor garden faucets and hose spigots are extremely useful in the summertime, but in the frigid winter, they become much less needed.
Forgetting to turn off water access through any outdoor faucets or appliances can result in serious damage to your plumbing system if those outdoor pipes were to freeze. To avoid this possibility, it’s smart to drain and disconnect any hoses or similar outdoor water gear that might be attached to your outdoor spigots. Be sure to store them somewhere safe for the winter.
Be sure to fully drain any water from these exposed outdoor pipes in order to prevent freezing. The best way to do this is to simply shut off the main water supply to these particular faucets for the season.
Locate Your Water Main
In the unfortunate event that any of your pipes were to burst this cold weather season, it’s important to be prepared. The first step is to locate your home or office’s water main.
The water main is basically your building’s main access point to your town water or well system. Knowing exactly where this feature is ahead of time will ensure that you will be able to quickly cut access to the water in the event of an emergency, helping to minimize the potential damage that could result from a burst pipe as you await repair.
In addition to this, it can sometimes be a good idea to shut off your building’s access to water if you are planning to be away for extended periods of time during the winter months. This way, you can prevent the risk of frozen or burst pipes altogether.
Check Your Water Heater
Another essential element of your plumbing, especially in the colder months, is your water heater. A cold shower is never ideal, but especially not in the middle of December!
Before the frigid temps come in, it can be a good idea to have a professional plumber come and inspect your water heater to ensure it’s running at primal efficiency. At The Plumbing Works, we can evaluate your water heater in the event that it needs any repairs or important parts to keep your water warm all winter long.
In addition, did you know that in some cases, it is also possible to raise your water temperature via the heater? This could give you access to warmer water on cold and chilly nights. In addition, it may also be possible to cap your water temperature at a certain number in order to prevent energy waste and avoid scalding.
Insulate Your Pipes
According to most experts, the average cost of repairs following a burst pipe can often exceed around $1,000, and that doesn’t even include the time and money you’ll have to spend to repair any flooding damage that could result from such a disaster.
The best way to prevent the possibility of frozen and burst pipes is to ensure that they are properly insulated before the temperature starts to fall. Usually, this consists of wrapping your pipes in materials like insulation foam.
At The Plumbing Works, our experienced and dedicated plumbers are more than willing to help you fully prepare the pipes in your home or office for the coming cold weather season. We strive for superior service!
Contact us today to see how your satisfaction is our number one priority. We look forward to hearing from you!
