The cold winter weather can take a toll on your home’s plumbing system. From freezing temperatures and fluctuating indoor humidity to increased household water usage, your risk of experiencing a problem can rise significantly. Fortunately, there are many preparation steps you can take to dramatically reduce your chance of facing a costly plumbing repair this winter season.
Insulate Your Pipes
When water is allowed to freeze in your pipes, it will expand and press outward on the piping. This can decrease the integrity of your pipes, cause cracking, and leave your family without fresh water. To help avoid frozen pipes, it can be very helpful to insulate them. You can use foam pipe sleeves, heat tape, or even heating cables, depending on the location and exposure of the piping.
While your cold water lines are the most important to insulate, your hot water lines can also benefit from added insulation. This can help them retain more of their heat as water travels through the system, which improves comfort and reduces heat loss from your plumbing lines.
Drain Outside Lines
When temperatures drop below freezing for extended periods, exposed water lines can freeze. Any water lines that you have outside are highly prone to freezing due to their direct exposure to the elements. We suggest shutting off and draining all your outside water lines before the cold winter weather settles in. This includes your hose bibbs, irrigation system, and outdoor kitchen. Be sure to completely drain your hoses and move them inside for the winter.
Seal Gaps and Drafts
Anywhere cold outside air can seep into your home and come into contact with piping, it can increase the risk of frozen pipes. It is best to seal up any air leaks coming into your home, whether they are in your basement, crawl space, or attic. Depending on the size and location of the air leak, you can use caulking, weatherstripping, or expanding spray foam. The goal is to create a more airtight seal that will limit cold air from reaching your plumbing.
Be Mindful of Cold Snaps
Cold snaps, when temperatures dip into the teens or single digits, can have a significant impact on your piping. It does not take very long for pipes to freeze during these extended periods of extreme cold. As a homeowner, it is wise to take extra precautions to prevent this from happening.
Consider opening the doors underneath your cabinets and vanities to expose your sink’s piping to warmer indoor air. This allows heat from your home to more easily reach those vulnerable areas. Additionally, you can leave your faucets running with a slow drip during extremely cold nights. Moving water is less likely to freeze than standing water, which helps protect your pipes during severe cold snaps.
Get Water Heater Service
Your water heater is in high demand all winter long. It is a good idea to invest in professional servicing to help ensure your unit is ready for the season ahead. This service may include inspecting your water heater’s components, checking and, when appropriate, replacing the anode rod, and flushing out built-up mineral sediment from the tank. Without proper servicing, your water heater can be more prone to performance issues or failure during the cold winter months.
Always Keep Your Heater On
Heating costs can be some of the most significant expenses that homeowners pay throughout the year. If you plan on spending time away from your home this winter season, it may be tempting to turn your heater off completely to save money. That is not recommended. Instead, you should leave your heater set to a minimum temperature of about 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Keeping your home at or above this temperature helps reduce the risk of frozen pipes, especially in moderately insulated homes.
Get a Smart Leak Detection System
One innovative tool that many homes can benefit from is a smart leak detection system. This uses smart technology along with water sensors to alert you when your plumbing system has a problem. You place water detection sensors near each water-using appliance, under sinks, and in other vulnerable areas.
Whenever a sensor detects a water leak, your system will send an alert to your smartphone. This lets you respond quickly to minimize damage. You can also invest in a leak detection system with smart shutoff valves. These valves can turn off the water supply to any location where a leak is detected, which helps prevent further water damage to your home.
Get a Routine Plumbing Inspection
One preventative maintenance step you never want to overlook is a routine plumbing inspection. This is where one of our knowledgeable plumbers will inspect and test the accessible components of your home’s plumbing system. We can detect issues such as hidden water leaks, visible corrosion, or slow drains.
By catching these issues while they are still small, we can repair them before major damage occurs in your home. Additionally, we can let you know when certain visible plumbing components appear to be aging or approaching the end of their expected service life. This way, you can plan for a replacement before they fail.
Upgrade Outdated Plumbing System Components
All plumbing system components have a finite lifespan. When these components near the end of their usable life, they are more prone to problems. For example, if you have a conventional water heater that is over 10 to 12 years old, it is at a higher risk for leaks or breakdowns compared to a newer model.
Instead of waiting for a plumbing problem to happen, it is often more advantageous to be proactive. Consider upgrading an outdated water heater or other older plumbing fixtures at a time that is convenient for you. When you get annual plumbing inspections, we can point out aging plumbing components you may want to replace. Doing so can bring you peace of mind and reduce the chance of a major system malfunction.
Test Your Sump Pump
If you experience flooding during the winter months due to snowmelt or heavy rain, having a well-functioning sump pump is essential. We suggest testing your sump pump before the winter season arrives to ensure that it is operating correctly. You can do this by adding water to your sump pump’s pit. Your unit should turn on and remove the excess water, then shut back off once the water level drops.
Plan Ahead for Emergencies
While you may take every reasonable step to avoid a major plumbing malfunction during the wintertime, there is always a chance that an issue could still occur. Having an emergency response plan in place can be the key to minimizing damage to your home and disruption to your daily routine.
We suggest knowing where your main water shut-off valve is located and keeping it easily accessible. Have our contact information on hand so you can call for prompt repair services if needed. It is also a good idea to review your homeowner’s insurance policy so you understand what types of water damage, such as damage from burst pipes, may be covered.
Get Prompt Repair Service
When you notice something amiss with your plumbing system, it is best to call for repair services as soon as possible. You never want to ignore issues, no matter how small they may seem. Doing so can allow problems to worsen over time. Unchecked water leaks can lead to mold growth and deterioration of building materials, and significant damage can be much more expensive to fix than addressing issues early.
Reliable Plumbing Inspection Service
Childers Air Plumbing & Electric offers reliable plumbing inspection service for the Beckley, WV area. We can also assist with all your plumbing repair, installation, and replacement needs. Phone our office today to book your next service consultation.
