As Michigan residents prepare for winter’s arrival, they should make sure their home is properly prepared to weather the cold temperatures, ice, and snow that is on its way. An unprepared house could result in costly problems like burst pipes.
Pipes that run through unheated spaces such as garages, attics, or crawl spaces are especially vulnerable to freezing in the wintertime, so wrapping these pipes in insulation will help ensure they remain warm.
1. Turn Off the Water
Cold weather can take its toll on your plumbing system, often leading to frozen or burst pipes that compromise its integrity. But with some quick plumbing tricks at your fingertips, this doesn’t have to be the case!
Step one is to turn off your water source. This will protect your home from being damaged by frozen and burst pipes and drain your pipes before leaving your residence for extended periods. If possible, also drain all your pipes as this will provide added peace of mind.
Begin by shutting off the main water valve. Locate and familiarize everyone in the household with how to operate an emergency shut-off valve; and invest in a meter key in case the main water valve fails.
Your pipes can also be protected from freezing by wrapping them with newspapers, which will keep the temperature of the pipes warmer and prevent freezing. Expanding foam insulation is another quick and cost-effective method available at most hardware stores for insulating pipes quickly.
If you don’t wish to invest in insulation, another simple solution could be opening the cabinet doors under your sinks and leaving them open so warm air can circulate – this will keep the plumbing from freezing as well as act as a deterrent against theft of water.
Staying ahead of frozen pipes by keeping faucets dripping is another effective strategy to protect them against freezing conditions and will ensure there is always some water running through them – this helps ensure crack-free pipes in wintertime!
If you plan to leave for an extended vacation, ask a neighbor to check on your home daily to ensure it does not become vacant and prevent burglars from breaking in. Frozen or burst pipes can be costly and even hazardous to health if left unattended – to prevent costly problems by following some simple plumbing tips you can save money and prevent these potentially hazardous incidents altogether.
2. Insulate Your Pipes
Winter is fast approaching, bringing with it subfreezing temperatures that can cause havoc to your plumbing. When the water in your pipes freezes and bursts, this could damage the tile, carpet, drywall, electrical appliances, and furniture in your home – leaving costly repair bills behind. So, if you want to protect your plumbing against freezing temperatures and prevent costly repair bills that come with them now is the time to take some simple measures and save yourself from potential repair costs later. Here are a few steps you can take right now to keep your pipes from freezing up if this winter hits hard – take some simple measures now that could save you both hassle and costly repair bills later down the line!
One of the easiest and cheapest ways to prepare your pipes for winter is insulation. Pipe insulation is not only cost-effective and simple to install; it’s also effective at keeping plumbing warm enough to avoid frozen pipes. While there are numerous products on the market that provide insulation solutions, fiberglass pipe sleeves, and electric heating cables tend to work best. If budget is an issue, focus on insulating those most susceptible to freezing first such as faucets with attached hose bibs, outdoor spigots or fixtures as well as those located in attic/crawl spaces if possible.
An additional way to avoid freezing up is draining any exterior faucets you have, particularly any hose bibs that should be shut off and drained after using them for car washing or plant watering. Doing this ensures there will be no excess water sitting in pipes when cold weather strikes that could otherwise freeze and burst them.
Finally, it’s also essential that any openings on the exterior of your home near plumbing and other sources of water be closed off. This includes closing any crawl space vents or doors as well as any gaps where wires or pipes enter your home. Insulation would also be wise around any areas in which pipes run.
Though it might seem obvious, many homeowners forget this step and end up spending thousands on repairs when temperatures dip. If you are uncertain where your pipes are or how best to insulate them, contact mrplumber9.com – they can ensure your pipes are prepared for Regina winters ahead.
3. Keep Your Faucets Running
Maintaining fluid movement through pipes is the key to keeping them from freezing and bursting, which can incur an expensive repair bill. To keep water moving through your system, consider leaving one faucet running at a slow drip when temperatures dip – it will cost far less than dealing with damage from frozen and burst pipes!
This trick can be especially helpful for water pipes in attics, garages, and basements – areas without heating systems that often mimic outdoor temperatures – making them more vulnerable to freezing than their housemates. Opening cabinet doors in kitchens and bathrooms to allow warmer air to circulate around plumbing is another smart strategy; for added protection foam rubber or fiberglass sleeves can also be placed over exposed pipes to retain warmth.
As well as dripping, it is also recommended to run the hot water faucet once every day and night in order to help protect pipes from freezing. You should also disconnect hoses and drain any excess water out of them before disconnecting and draining them completely. Keeping an eye on your water bill throughout winter will also ensure you do not exceed its capacity and incur higher bills during this period.
Take these measures to get your house prepared for winter. Colder temperatures in autumn can be especially taxing on both your plumbing system and the house itself, so preparing early with these easy tricks is essential for its survival. Need any assistance with your plumbing? Call our team of plumbing experts – they are more than happy to assist with any problems or help find a tailored solution to fit any home! We hope to hear from you soon and hope we get a chance to speak soon.
4. Keep Your Cabinet Doors Open
Winter temperatures can quickly cause water pipes to freeze if they are improperly insulated, but an easy way to combat this issue is keeping cabinet doors open under sinks in kitchens and bathrooms – this allows warm air to circulate, keeping pipes from freezing over. Also, be mindful that any objects placed inside cabinets could pose safety threats to children and animals.
Just as with your garage, attic, and crawl spaces, be sure to close any cracks that allow cold air into your plumbing areas – using caulk if necessary to seal these cracks – as this may let the cold seep in and freeze up pipes during winter months. Furthermore, it would be prudent to drain any outdoor faucets connected to your house that might otherwise freeze up during this season of travel.
As any small crack can quickly lead to costly disaster, taking precautionary steps is of vital importance for homeowners. Doing it once takes only seconds and can save a great deal of headaches.
If you plan on being away for several days, be sure to have someone check in on your home regularly. This simple and inexpensive measure could prevent large issues if temperatures dip below freezing – I have heard of cases where people returned home only to discover water had frozen over and caused major destruction to their property.
These clever plumbing tricks are essential knowledge for every homeowner to have in order to properly prepare their homes for winter weather. While it’s easy to forget the details when life gets busy, these easy tricks will save time, money, and stress in the long run – give 24hremergencyplumber1.com a try today!
