It’s that time of year again. Temperatures are dropping, and the leaves are falling from the trees. Yes, winter is right around the corner, which means it’s also time to protect your plumbing. Fortunately, it’s easier than you might think to protect your home.

Follow these simple tips to protect your plumbing this winter:

  1. Disconnect and drain your outdoor hoses. Detach your hose to allow the water to drain from the pipe. Additionally, drain all the water from your hose bibbs and shut off the water valve to your outside water supply (if it’s a separate shut-off valve). It’s also smart to insulate your hose bibbs with covers.
  2. Label your main water shut-off valve. Take the time to find your main water shut-off valve — typically, it’s located in your basement or near your water meter. You must know how to turn off your water in the case of frozen pipes so you can limit damage and repair costs.
  3. Insulate unheated water pipes. If you have pipes located in your garage or crawl space, they may be more susceptible to freezing during the winter. You can easily insulate these pipes using a foam tube or heat tape to keep them from freezing. Just be sure you don’t leave any gaps in the insulation.
  4. Seal the gaps or cracks in your doors and windows. That way, you help limit cold air from freezing exposed water pipes. Use caulking or spray foam to seal places where cold air enters your home — just be sure you don’t plug air vents needed for your appliances.
  5. Do what you can inside to keep your pipes from freezing. When the temperature drops into the single digits, you’ll want to do all you can inside to protect your pipes. Keep one of your faucets dripping to move water freely and continuously through your pipes (some recommend using the faucet furthest from your water meter). And you may want to keep your cabinet doors open under your sinks to allow heat to circulate where it’s needed.
  6. Turn off your water if you’re going out of town. If you plan to be out of town for several days, you should turn off your main water valve and drain the outside faucets. Upon your return, slowly turn your water back on to ensure it’s working correctly.

Winter can be a tricky time to keep your water flowing smoothly. If you run into any problems with frozen or busted pipes, don’t hesitate to call us. We’re ready to help.