Many homeowners in cold regions will do everything possible to ensure their homes remain warm and cozy throughout the cold seasons. However, not all homeowners remember to prepare their plumbing pipes for this season to minimize frozen pipes and ensure a continuous flow of water.
Frozen pipes are a leading cause of burst pipes and other related water damage that leads to costly repairs, which you may not have a budget for. To avoid all this stress, you need to prepare effectively for every cold season. Here are four effective tips for maintaining plumbing systems in cold weather that you should implement before every cold season.
Inspect Pipes for Leaks
Leaking pipes can cause expensive damage to your plumbing system, especially in the freezing temperatures of winter when pipes tend to burst more often. You can avoid this by inspecting your pipes before the onset of a cold season so you’re able to fix the leaks on time. The most common areas you’re likely to spot leaks are under your sinks and around fixtures.
Even if it’s only a minor leak when you spot it, resist the temptation to ignore it, as minor leaks can rapidly expand in cold seasons. If you’re not confident in your leak inspection skills, you can seek professional help from experienced plumbers, like the WEHO plumbing services, for effective leak detection and fixing.
Insulate Exposed Pipes
Proper pipe insulation is crucial for successfully navigating cold seasons as it protects your pipes against bursts. Insulate the exposed pipes in unheated areas such as garages, crawl spaces, and attics to offer a needed barrier against the cold. Insulating exposed pipes shouldn’t be a big challenge, especially if you’re using heat tape or foam sleeves to wrap around the affected area.
The most common challenge with the insulation of exposed pipes is reaching areas that are not easy to access. In these instances, it’s best to call for help to ensure you achieve a safe and successful insulation process.
Maintain a Consistent Indoor Temperature
You might be tempted to adjust temperature settings when you’re home and when away, but this might be the beginning of problems with your plumbing system. If you turn down your thermostat when you’re away, your pipes might freeze in your absence, causing the very problems you don’t want to have in a cold season.
For safe and seamless operations, set your thermostat to about 600F during the cold seasons and avoid drastic temperature fluctuations. If you’re going to be away for a long time, consider installing a programmable thermostat that can adjust and monitor temperature remotely. Alternatively, you can leave the heat on to keep your home warm even in your absence.
Schedule a Sewer Line Inspection Early
A sewer backup is a homeowner’s worst nightmare, especially if it happens in the Fall or Winter. These cold months are for staying cozy indoors most of the time, not battling clogged drains and sewer lines to free up your plumbing system.
Avoid this stalemate by scheduling a professional sewer line inspection early, before the rains begin. With early inspection, you’re able to detect any underlying issues and solve them before they start causing trouble back up into your home’s plumbing system.
There’s no easier way out of incessant plumbing troubles in cold seasons than to prepare effectively against them. By following these four tips, you can enjoy a seamless cold season, free of plumbing woes and emergencies.
