Is Your Plumbing Ready For Winter

Why Winter Can Be Hard on Plumbing

When water freezes inside a plumbing pipe, it expands, and pressure increases. Whether the pipe is made of copper, plastic, or steel, it has a breaking point. Once a plumbing pipe cracks, hundreds of gallons of water a day can get released, causing thousands of dollars in damage.

Vacation homes that remain vacant for weeks or months at a time are especially vulnerable. But even your principal residence isn’t immune if you’re away for a few days—or even hours—at the wrong time.

Tips to Protect Your Plumbing From Winter Damage

1. Protect Pipes Near Exterior Walls

• Kitchen sinks and some bathrooms are often positioned near outer walls. These pipes are rarely insulated and are typically the first to freeze in extreme cold.
• Leave cabinet doors open below the sink or lavatory if you’ll be away for any length of time. Interior heat from your home will help keep pipes from freezing.

2. Insulate Vulnerable Pipes

• Insulate pipes that might be near exposed walls.
• For severe exposures, consider using electrically heated insulating cables.

3. Winterize Outdoor Hose Spigots

• Turn off and drain all outdoor hose spigots before winter arrives.
• For spigots exposed to prevailing winter winds, consider insulating them.
• Fix any leaking spigots before cold weather sets in.

4. Prepare Vacation Homes

• For vacation or second homes left unoccupied for long periods:
  • Shut off the main water supply.
  • Drain all toilets, faucets, and water heaters.
• It takes only a few minutes to restore water when you return. While water heaters may take an hour or more to recover, it’s a small price compared to the damage from freezing.

5. Maintain Your Water Heater

• Water heaters work harder in winter.
• Call us for periodic maintenance to remove deposits that decrease efficiency, cause corrosion, and shorten the heater’s lifespan.

Don’t Want the Hassle?

Call us to discuss a plumbing service agreement. It includes guaranteed periodic inspection, maintenance, and winterization for your entire plumbing system.