4 Tips for Winter Readiness

Plumbing problems always seem to occur at some of the most inconvenient times, and these times, more than often, tend to be during the times of year that put particular stress on your pipes and your plumbing system as a whole. Winter, in particular, can be a difficult time for your home’s plumbing system, especially if you’re unaware of the methods needed to protect your plumbing system from damage, or simply haven’t taken to the necessary steps to do so.

To assist all of our local customers in making sure that their home’s plumbing stays intact this winter, our team of skilled Louisville plumbers has taken the time to put together a short list containing some of the most useful tips we’ve developed over our years of service to help you keep your home’s plumbing safe and secure throughout the cold winter season.

Protect Your Pipes From Freezing

When the temperature starts to drop, any standing water inside your pipes can easily freeze, resulting in blockages, or even causing them to burst. If you’re out of the house or you’re just unaware that this has happened, this can be a disastrous occurrence for your home, causing massive flooding and untold damage to your furnishings, and even your home’s structure.

To reduce the possibility of your pipes freezing this winter, it’s important to ensure that each of your un-insulated pipes is wrapped in insulating foam. Foam tubes are available at most hardware stores if you choose to do it yourself, but if you aren’t sure which of your pipes are insulated, and which aren’t, you can call in a professional plumbing company to make sure the job gets done right.

Fix Any Plumbing Leaks Right Away

There is no time like the present to make sure you have any leaks in your plumbing system repaired, as low winter temperatures can make these issues worse. You’ll want to inspect your home, check all of the faucets in your kitchen, bathrooms, and any utility rooms for drips or puddles.

If you find any areas of leakage in your home, you’ll want to have a professional plumbing expert come out right away to take a leak and make any plumbing repairs that are needed. Any of your pipes or fixtures that are already leaking when cold weather hits are more susceptible to sustaining further damage because their integrity is already compromised.

Drain Your Water Heater

If you live in an area with hard water, sediment can build up in your tank, causing rust to develop inside. This rust can then find its way all over your home, including in your drinking, cooking, and bathing water. If your water heater is rusted or is too old, it might be time to consider having a new one installed.

Take Off Your Outside Hose To Avoid Frozen Pipes

Until warmer weather comes back around, one of the best plumbing practices you can undertake is to make sure that you pack up and put away your outdoor hoses. Leaving a hose connected to the outside of your house in the winter can cause any water left inside of it to freeze and expand, freezing your faucets and any connecting pipes as well.

Disconnecting your outdoors hoses when the weather gets cold is a great way to avoid heft plumbing repair bills, but if you do run into problems, you’ll want to make sure you get a professional plumbing contractor on the scene quickly to repair any damages before they have a chance to spread damage to other areas of your home.