Any resident of Waterbury knows that when winter comes along, it brings
freezing temperatures with it. While this allows us to enjoy the occasional
snow day, it can also cause serious damage to your home’s plumbing
system if you aren’t prepared. In this blog, our Waterbury plumbers
discuss 5 great ways to prepare your plumbing for the winter.
1. Fix All Leaks Before the Temperature Drops
If your plumbing is already leaking before the winter season starts, you
could be in store for some expensive repairs. Freezing water in pipes
can turn relatively minor leaks into big problems both indoors and outdoors.
Many leaks can be hidden under pipe insulation, so it’s best to
have an experienced Waterbury plumber test your system.
2. Insulate Your Exposed Pipes
Any exposed pipes in your garage, attic, basement or crawlspace will be
at high risk of freezing when the temperature drops. You can pick up pipe
insulation at your local hardware store at a relatively inexpensive price
(at least compared to the cost of re-piping!)
3. Know Where Your Water Main Is
While proper preparation can prevent a lot of burst pipes and other problems,
accidents still happen from time to time. It’s crucial to know where
your water main is located, as well as how to shut off the water in an
emergency.
4. Let the Faucet Drip When It’s Freezing Out
Contrary to what many people think, pipes don’t typically burst at
the point water freezes at. Instead, the expanding ice causes pressure
to build up further down the line, eventually causing the pipe to burst.
By letting your faucets drip slowly at night when temperatures are below
freezing, you release the pressure inside the pipes and prevent damage.
It may seem slightly wasteful, but it’s much less wasteful than
having water pouring out of a burst pipe.
5. Try to Keep the Air Warm
Pipes in your bathroom and kitchen are often installed right up against
exterior walls, and things can get pretty chilly inside those cabinets.
By opening them up while you’re running your heating system, you
can help warm them up and prevent freezing. The same is true for the garage
– keeping the door shut will help insulate the pipes even further,
especially if you can heat the inside when it gets especially cold out.
Make sure your system is ready for winter. Call Cyrious Plumbing today
at (203) 577-5628.