BABY ITS COLD OUTSIDE! With winter here, comes those cold temperatures we've been waiting for! Although, we may love the temperatures dropping it also can also lead to a variety of potential plumbing issues. Don't worry, Knight's Plumbing has some tips to for you to prepare your plumbing for this winter season!
SHUT OFF OUTDOOR FAUCETS
Turn off outdoor faucets at their shutoff valves. Drain any water out of the pipes by opening bleeder cap on the shutoff valve. If you don't drain the pipes, they can freeze and crack. Leave the bleeder cap open with a bucket underneath and continue to let drip. If dripping continues, your shutoff valve may need to be replaced. Don't forget to disconnect, and drain all hoses as well. If the hose is connected to the faucet, ice can back up into the pipe inside your house, causing the pipe to crack. Don’t leave hoses attached to outdoor faucets over the winter, roll up and store.
RUNNING WATER
Make sure to run water through every valve in your house frequently. This keeps the water flowing, which reduces the risk of freezing. It also protects against burst pipes if the water does freeze, because it prevents pressure from building up between the faucet and an ice formation.
INSULATE PIPES
if you have pipes in a unheated area like your attic or garage you can use heat cable and cover it with pipe insulation, or use a foam sleeve to guard your hot and cold water pipes from freezing this winter. Insulation is an inexpensive preventive measure against what could otherwise be a costly problem.
BE CAREFUL WITH HOLIDAY COOOKING
When doing your holiday cooking remember not to put any cooking grease or oils down the drain. Grease and oil is more likely to collect and clog when your plumbing is colder. Avoid this by limiting the amount of oil you pour down the drain and throw them out in the garbage instead.
LEAVING TOWN FOR AWHILE
If you are leaving town for a while turn off your water at the main shutoff. Any water left in your pipes is at risk of freezing and causing pipes to bust, the damage can be widespread and severe. If you turn off the water before leaving for awhile you’ll have far less damage.
INSPECT YOUR WATER HEATER
Water heaters are vulnerable to sediment deposits and rust formation over time, which can weaken the flow of hot water in your house. This sediment turns in to rust, which you could end up drinking or cooking with as well. As you prepare your home for winter, drain your water heater to remove some of the sediment. It's may be hard to drain your water heater yourself, but we are glad to help! Call Knights Plumbing today to schedule your appointment 281-480-0733.
Knight's Plumbing offers 24/7 emergency services. It never hurts to be prepared, keep our information handy in case you have an emergency over the holidays. You can call us ANYTIME at 281-480-0733!