5 Ways to Prepare Your Plumbing for Winter

When the calendar rolls into November, it’s only a matter of time until the frosty winter weather arrives as well, and if recent winters have taught us anything, it’s that we should be prepared for frigid temperatures and the hazards they can bring. This is particularly true for your plumbing, which can be seriously damaged when these temperatures cause the water inside them to freeze over and expand, which can lead to halted water flow or possibly a pipe burst.

Want to avoid one of these potential issues? Here are a few tips you can follow at home to get your plumbing ready.

1. Prepare Your Outdoor Faucets

Have a garden hose that’s still outside? Disconnect it, drain it, and roll it up in order to store it inside. A hose with any water in it will most likely freeze, which can deal serious damage to the hose itself. If a hose has any water pressure, freezing it could deal substantial damage to an outdoor water faucet.

2. Fix Leaks

Do you have a slow leak out of one of your pipes? Now’s the time to freeze it. Water exposed to sub-freezing temperatures will turn solid, and that’ll lead to a much greater chance of your entire pipe freezing over, and possibly bursting.

3. Add Insulation

Do you have any exposed, unheated plumbing? Odds are you probably have at least one or two pieces easily accessible outside. If these pipes are not insulated, or if the insulation on them is more than a couple of years old, head to your local hardware store and pick up some plumbing insulation. This minimal investment could save you thousands when it comes to a major pipe replacement service.

4. Drain Your Water Heater

Over time, deposits like calcium and magnesium build up in water heaters. Draining your water heater completely will usually get rid of the majority of these deposits. Empty out your water heater and let it refill from scratch. This way your heater will provide you with cleaner, warmer water all winter long.

5. Call a Plumber

Have you had your plumbing serviced recently? If not, your pipes could be starting to back up or show signs of slowing. These problems can often compound during winter months when debris or even water starts to get too cold and freeze. If you experience any issues with your plumbing, you shouldn’t hesitate to pick up the phone and contact a New York plumber for help!