The most common cause for winter plumbing leaks is frozen pipes; however, this is not the only thing that leads to plumbing leaks in winter. Since more people will be showering, cooking, doing dishes, and washing clothes, your plumbing can become stressed because of the family gatherings that take place during the holiday season. To prevent a costly winter plumbing leak, implement the five tips recommended below.
1. Insulate Your Pipes
Any pipes that are in the garage, in the basement, or near outside walls are more prone to freezing since they are far away from a heat source. Insulate these pipes so they do not freeze and burst. You can purchase insulation sleeves, or you can wrap insulation around your pipes. You can also use heat tape, but if you decide to employ this method, obtain the help of a plumber. Dangers can result if the heat tape is not applied correctly.
2. Drain and Turn Off Valves That Lead to the Outdoors
Drain any valves that lead to the outdoors and shut them off for the winter. An example of such valves are your garden hose spigots. Failure to drain and shut off these valves can lead to the pipes freezing and bursting. This can cause flooding and expensive property damage.
3. Put Away Your Garden Hose Until Spring
If you leave your garden hose connected to your faucet, the water that sits inside it will cause the hose to expand and damage the fixture where the hose connects to your home. When the connection is damaged, this can potentially cause your pipes to burst. Bring your garden hose back out once temperatures are not in danger of dropping to freezing.
4. Clean Your Outdoor Drains
During the fall, your gutters and outdoor drains can potentially become clogged with an accumulation of leaves and other debris. When water has nowhere to go, it will freeze and cause damage to your plumbing. If you notice there is standing water, you have a clog. Contact a plumber to unclog and clean out your outdoor drains.
5. Have Your Plumbing Inspected
To make sure your plumbing is in top shape and ready for the winter, call a plumber for an inspection. During the inspection, the plumber will test all your plumbing to make sure it is working properly, looking for problems as they go. If they spot one, they’ll explain it and work with you to get it remedied.
Following these five tips should help prevent you from contending with expensive plumbing leaks. To make sure your plumbing is prepared to brave the cold season, contact us at Royal Services, a household name in Brighton, CO.