Winterize Your Plumbing System

Did you know there are some common plumbing problems you can avoid by taking cues from Mother Nature? Chilly fall temperatures are a gentle reminder that winter can arrive suddenly, especially for my clients in Utah. A few simple preparations now will help prevent big headaches and expensive repairs during the winter months.

Make sure you disconnect outside water hoses, and check to make certain outside faucets aren't dripping or leaking. If you notice a problem, make sure you call us before freezing temperatures arrive. Whether a pipe is made of copper, plastic, or steel, the tiniest crack can still allow enough water to cause serious damage.

Cover any outside faucets using a Styrofoam faucet insulation kit. These are available at home centers like Lowe's and The Home Depot. If your home is has an interior shut-off valve for outside faucets, close it and drain the water from your outside lines. If you need help with this, let me know.

Insulate pipes in unheated areas of your property, such as in your garage and the crawl space under your house. In these areas, it's also a good idea to seal leaks around windows and doors to keep the cold air out.

Your water heater works harder during winter months. To help prevent cold showers on cold days, we can perform a flush out service. Our flush out service will remove sediment buildup, which causes corrosion and shortens the life of your water heater. Sediment buildup also significantly reduces the heating efficiency of your water heater. While we're there, will also test the pressure relief valve, adjust your temperature settings, and check other components of your water heater to make sure everything is in good shape for winter.

If you have a sump pump, you need to clean and inspect the pump and the pit area. Like other water components in your home, sump pumps exposed to extreme cold can freeze, making it impossible for the pump to operate properly.

If you plan to leave home for an extended period of time, make sure you shut off the main water valve to the house and drain your plumbing system by opening the faucets in the house. Also, make sure the heat is left on and set no lower than 55°F. This will help prevent the pipes bursting inside your house while you are away.

WARNING! These tips are only for homes that will be lived in during the winter months! Vacation properties and other homes that will be left unattended for weeks or months require additional steps to prepare them for winter. If you need help winterizing a property that will be vacant during winter months, give us a call.

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