How to Keep Your Plumbing Safe This Fall and Winter
Freezing temperatures and winter weather can be harsh on your plumbing. As winter rolls in like an uninvited guest, anxious residents and business owners flood the phone lines of local plumbing repair companies, all scrambling to winterize their properties and dodge those pesky last-minute plumbing disasters. Sure, scheduling plumbing services is great, but there are a few extra steps homeowners can take to keep those pesky plumbing and heater problems at bay!
Wrap Up Your Pipes
The coldest months pose the greatest hazard to improperly insulated pipes. Low temperatures can cause stagnant water in pipes to freeze and expand, creating microscopic fissures that could lead to a pipe burst. Insulating pipes become essential for exposed pipes, especially in areas that experience below-freezing temperatures. The small cost of adding more insulation is insignificant compared to the possible expenditures of fixing any damages brought on by a burst pipe.
Even exposed pipes within your home can freeze if the temperature drops below a certain point. Therefore, outdoor pipes should be insulated. Ensure you inspect and insulate pipes in the laundry room, utility rooms, garages, crawl spaces, under sinks, and the basement. You might have to cope with the effects of frozen pipes if you go on vacation during a cold snap or lose electricity during a winter storm. Insulating your pipes using insulating sleeves is recommended, but if you don't have any, you can also wrap the exposed pipes with a towel.
Open Cabinets and Turn on the Heat
Open the cabinets that conceal your pipes so hot air can circulate inside and prevent freezing pipes. This is especially handy for those cabinets and pipes that like to hang out along the chilly exterior walls.
Maintain that thermostat at a steady temperature, day and night—after all, consistency is key! Once more, during a chilly spell, it's not the moment to play thermostat roulette at night to pocket a few extra bucks on your heating bill. If you plan a getaway during the chilly months, keep the heat in your abode, but don’t let it dip below a cozy 55° F.
Disconnect Your Outside Hoses
After using the yard hose all summer, do not forget it when it gets cooler, and leave it hooked up to an outside faucet or fixture. Winterize your outdoor plumbing to ensure the water is off for the winter. If you leave the garden hose connected, a small amount of water can get stuck in the pipe by the spigot. This water will quickly freeze, and this ice can damage your pipe and faucet, so disconnect that hose immediately to save money on a fix.
About VanderBosch Plumbing Inc.
With over 17 years of experience in the plumbing industry, VanderBosch Plumbing Inc. works hard to deliver outstanding service to the Chicago community. Delivering outstanding service isn’t just something they say they will do; it is deeply ingrained in their culture and shows in every job they do. Every technician at VanderBosch Plumbing Inc. has the knowledge and expertise to diagnose and fix your plumbing issue. For any plumbing repairs in the Chicago, IL area, give VanderBosch Plumbing a call today.
