Knowing the easy weather plumbing tips to follow before the colder months arrive is a good idea. Not making certain your pipes are prepared for cold can sometimes have drastic consequences.
Having frozen or busted pipes is probably the most stressful event you will ever deal with when it comes to your plumbing. However, you can easily avoid this problem by following a few simple and easy tips. Some areas of your home and pipes are more susceptible to the damaging affects of the cold than others. Knowing a few quick and easy weather plumbing tips will help prepare your pipes for the coming cold weather.
The first area you need to focus on are the openings around your crawl spaces, if you have any. Make sure these cracks are tightly sealed so the freezing air does not have access to your pipes. In doing this you will ensure that any heat that surrounds your pipes and water lines remains there.
Another good tip is to use a foam pipe insulator around all the pipes, both in your crawl space or attic, depending on your situation. If pipes are directly exposed to the outside conditions, you might want to consider insulating them. This can be accomplished by using electrical heat tape or some other insulation type which will keep them from freezing.
Another great idea is to do some small repairs on any leaking outdoor faucets before the colder months arrive. Using a foam outdoor faucet cover will also aid in maintaining the pipe’s safety. If you do not have experience as to the nature of your pipes during the colder months, that is okay. A common tip, then, is to turn your faucets on and allow the water to continuously drip from the spigot.
If it is extremely cold, this dripping will not be enough. Instead, turn your faucets to a steady stream. The water is constantly moving and your pipes are then less likely to freeze. Doing this is a very helpful tip. By following this trick your plumbing will stay safe in colder weather.
Another area that you might want to focus on is your water heater. It is a good idea to insulate this appliance, and it will help to keep your energy costs lower, as well. Other appliances, such as water pumps, washing machines, or well pumps also should be insulated. This is especially true if they are either exposed to the elements, such as sitting on a porch or inside an unheated garage.
If you live in a rural area, you might need to follow a further set of precautionary suggestions. Some rural homes have wells or pump houses. If this is applicable to you then it might be a good idea that have a heating source constantly in use, such as a heat lamp or electric heater. Doing this will keep these plumbing forms safe during the cold weather.
Following the above suggestions can help to ensure you never have to wake up in the morning to frozen or damaged pipes.
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