Plumbing problems can happen in any season. Winter, however, can be especially hazardous to your household pipes and fixtures. Frigid winter weather is also a particularly unpleasant time to deal with the aftermath of messy plumbing issues, indoors or out. Now's the time — before that first cold snap hits — to pay attention to plumbing preventive maintenance for winter.
- Insulate water pipes. If you live in a climate where temps drop below freezing in winter, protect water pipes from freezing and rupture that can cause extensive water damage. Buy slip-on foam insulation sleeves at a local home center and cut them to size. Install the sleeves on all accessible segments of cold or hot water supply pipes, anywhere they are exposed to outdoor cold.
- Seal out cold air. Look for cracks or gaps where frigid outdoor air can contact water supply lines routed through unconditioned zones like the crawl space, the voids inside exterior walls, and the attic. Seal these openings with exterior caulking or expanding spray foam insulation in a can. For large openings, close the space with a wood patch cut to size.
- Drain outdoor fixtures. Freezing in outdoor faucets and other fixtures can actually rupture indoor pipes and cause flooding. Before cold weather hits, detach your garden hoses, drain the water out and store them. Drain underground sprinklers if you have them. If you have frost-proof outdoor faucets, shut off the indoor valve that supplies water and drain residual water from the faucet.
- Be proactive during hard freezes. If temperatures below 28 degrees are forecast for an extended period, take action to prevent pipe freezing and subsequent ruptures. Open indoor taps to allow a trickle of water that prevents pipe breakage due to freezing. Set the furnace thermostat to maintain indoor temperatures of at least 70 degrees and open cabinets and closet doors so heat circulates into wall areas where pipes are present. If you suspect a frozen pipe, don't wait for it to thaw. Contact a plumber immediately.
For more about avoiding winter plumbing problems that might cause household water damage, ask the professionals at Rytech, Inc.
