How to Prep Your Plumbing Before the First Freeze

After a long, very hot summer, the crisp chill of fall in the air is a welcome reprieve. However, it won’t be long until the temperatures take a serious nose dive and the first freeze of the year will be here. As you prepare your home for winter, take care to prepare your plumbing.

How Freezing Temps Affect Your Pipes

When the temperature drops below freezing, any water inside your pipes can freeze and expand. This leads to a pressure increase that can cause the plumbing to burst at the weaker points along the lines, usually a joint or elbow fitting. Then once the ice thaws, even a minor crack can end up releasing hundreds of gallons of water, resulting in structural damage and costly repairs.

Fortunately, this doesn’t have to be you home this winter. Preparing your plumbing system for colder weather is the best method for preventing a busted pipe and avoiding a flooded home.

Steps to Protect Your Pipes From Winter

Insulate Exposed Pipes

Many homes have plumbing running through areas—such as the garage, crawl space, or attic—that are not heated. Protect these lines by having them covered with either foam pipe insulation or heat tape. Additionally, use caulk or expanding foam to seal any gaps in the exterior walls near the pipes. This will help to keep them from freezing.

Stop Outside Freezing

Disconnecting and draining all outside hoses is essential for preventing water from freezing and backing up into the surrounding wall and plumbing. After you’ve removed the hose, turn off the indoor valve to the outside line. It’s also recommended to add an insulated cover to the spigot. If the outdoor faucet has a lot of wear and tear or you noticed it leaking this summer, it might be time to replace it. Upgrading to a frost-proof hose bib will provide extra protecting against freezing pipes.

Flush the Water Heater

Expecting hot water and getting luke-warm or worse, freezing water, is never a pleasant experience. Maintaining your hot water heater is the best way to avoid this situation. If you’ve recently noticed your water doesn’t stay hot for very long or doesn’t get particularly warm anymore, it’s probably time to have the system flushed. This will remove any sediment buildup in the tank so it can work more efficiently. As a bonus, it will help to extend the life of the unit.

Schedule a Professional Plumbing Inspection