Keeping Your Pipes Safe During Winter

Avoid Costly Water Damage in Your Home During the Cold Winter Months

One thing is to know that it’s a good idea to take measures that will ensure your pipes will stay in good working order when you’ll be gone for a while. Things like rust, clogs and frigid air temps can ruin your pipes and require extensive sewer repair. The damage can affect your entire home, both indoors and out, especially if that damage isn’t readily noticeable and you end up with a burst pipe or a backed-up toilet.

Avoid Damage Inside Your Home

You have pipes that are located outside your home, and these should be protected to prevent a problem. Here are some steps you can take to help keep your home’s pipes from being damaged or burst:

Gutters should be cleaned regularly and kept free of dirt, leaves and other debris. Otherwise, inclement weather such as large amounts of snow or rain can occur while you’re gone and cause intense drainage in one spot. This can lead to flooding or frozen patches.

If you have outdoor hoses, disconnect them. If any water is left inside, it can back up into the pipes, freeze and cause them to burst. Not only does that ruin the pipes, but it can also lead to further water damage and mold problems.

Landscaping should be kept up when it comes to trees and shrubs. Roots are notorious for getting caught up in pipes, and they can even break through them.

When it comes to the pipes inside your home, prevention of damage should be at the top of your priority list. When pipes that are in your home are damaged or broken, the result can be extremely expensive sewer repair. It’s especially important to watch out for the pipes in cooler areas such as basements, crawl spaces and garages.

How to protect your indoor piping and keep it from getting damaged:

• Find out where the main shut-off switch is for the water coming into your home. If you can shut it off while you’re away, that’s okay. If not, you can simply turn off the individual valves to the main appliances. You can normally find the valves near each appliance. Just follow the pipes until you see them.
• Keep freezing air from the pipes in your home by checking for drafts where they’re located. You can plug holes or even use heat tape.
• If there’s any snow before you leave, make sure you clear the areas around drains to help keep buildup down while you’re gone.
• Look over your supply lines to make sure they haven’t become brittle or leaky. If they have extensive wear or obvious damage, replace them before you leave.

To schedule a professional plumber call 844-216-9300.