Important Tips To Prepare Your Plumbing For Winter

Winter brings with it many problems for your home’s pipes. For starters, the cold weather can freeze water and cause pipes to burst. Water companies also note a rise in activities during the holiday season with people visiting each other for Christmas and New Year. That’s why you need to start winterizing your plumbing in Vero Beach FL as early as fall.

Winterizing your pipelines will help you avoid costly repairs and make the most of them during the cold months. Most of these tips are simple and precautionary in nature. Here’s how you can implement them to keep your pipelines functional during winter:

Find Main Valve
If you don’t already know where your home’s main valve is, now is the time to find it. Your pipes can burst despite the best precautions. You’ll need to shut the water supply before calling Vero Beach plumbers to save water.

Insulate Pipes
Pipes in uncovered areas like the garage, attic, etc. are susceptible to cold weather. You should insulate them with insulation foam or heat tape. You should also add heat cables to them because the insulation prevents heat also from reaching them.

Check Water Heater
You need your water heater during winter more than any time of the year. You should get it checked by Vero Beach plumbers during fall, especially if you notice something wrong with them. They can check the system for problems and make the necessary repairs before any issues arise.

Shut Off And Drain Outdoor Faucets
Outdoor faucets and pipes are the most susceptible to cold weather. You should drain them and shut the water supply to prevent them from freezing and bursting. You should shut and drain all the pipes if you plan on going on a vacation. You might also want to disconnect hoses from the faucets and store them. Connected hoses might freeze and allow ice to back up into pipes. You can also cover faucets and hose bibs with insulated covers.

Keep Temperature Steady
You might want to simply reduce the temperature to a comfortable level instead of switching off your HVAC. This will prevent the cold air from damaging your plumbing in Vero Beach FL. A setting of 45 degrees Fahrenheit should be enough.

Let Faucets Drip
If you live in areas where it’s extremely cold, then you might want to let them drip slowly to maintain water flow. It might add to the water bill but will save you from a hefty repair bill.

Install Frost-Free Sill Cocks
Frost-free sill cocks are designed for winters. Unlike a typical faucet whose valve, seat and washer are located at the wall, these parts are located 18 inches inside the wall. Vero Beach plumbers install them with a slight downward pitch. It prevents frost because all the water drains out of the pipe once you shut the valve.

Inspect Exterior
Cracks and holes in your house’s exterior can allow cold air to seep in and affect the pipes. You should find and seal them before they become a problem. Just walk around your home to look for cracks. You should also seal windows with weather strips.

Fix Leaks
You should fix leaks in your plumbing in Vero Beach FL before winter. This will help you avoid frost and further damage to the system.

Keep Cabinet Doors Open
Particularly the cabinet doors that cover pipes in the kitchen and washroom. They block the heat from HVAC from reaching the pipes, making them vulnerable to the chill. You should keep the doors open to help the heat reach the pipes inside.

Avoid Clogging
Clogs can cause many problems during winter that you may need Vero Beach plumbers to fix. You should dispose of oils and fat in the bin instead of the sink. You should also avoid flushing wipes, tampons, etc down the toilet.

Service HVAC
A functional HVAC can prevent the weather indoors from getting chilly enough to cause a frost. You should get it serviced during the last weeks of fall to prepare it for winter.