Plumbing Checklist for Winter
As temperatures drop, the chances of your home suffering a burst pipe or flood can increase. The last thing you want is to stumble into three inches of icy water in your hallway on a frigid December night. Do yourself a favor and prep your plumbing system for the cold weather by following these simple steps.
1. Make Sure Your Pipes Are in Warm Places
Although most modern plumbing systems are built in the heated parts of people’s homes, you might want to double check to see if your pipes are exposed to the elements. If there are parts of your system that are running in unheated areas of the house, consult a plumber to see if it would be possible to move those pipes to a warmer location. This will prevent them from freezing or breaking.
2. Let Your Faucets Drip on Especially Cold Days
When a big freeze is about to roll in, you might want to let a tiny bit of water flow out of your faucet constantly. It might seem wasteful, but the slow drips can prevent your pipes from bursting when ice builds up in them.
3. Insulate Your Pipes
Warm pipes are safe pipes, so make sure that all of yours are insulated. Additionally, make sure your house is well-insulated so that less cold air seeps in and invades your plumbing system. FIll any holes you find as soon as possible, even if they’re tiny.
4. Don’t Let Your House’s Temp Drop Below 67 Degrees Fahrenheit
If you’re not home for a large part of the day, it’s tempting to leave the heat off in an effort to lower your electricity bill. However, in the winter, letting your home become too cold could lead to frozen pipes. Keep your temperature in the low 70s to ensure that your pipes stay nice and warm, even when you’re gone.
Worried that your pipes need to be checked by a professional before the heavy part of winter hits? Call Reichelt Plumbing to speak with a plumber or schedule an appointment. The company will help ease your worries about plumbing issues and keep your home warm and dry throughout the cold weather.