Protect Your Home’s Pipes with Winter Plumbing Tips

The arrival of winter can bring a multitude of issues, especially when it comes to your home’s plumbing system. A big storm has the potential to lead to a frozen or burst pipe and costly damage. Here are some things you can do on your own to prepare your home for the winter months.‍

Winterize the Faucets

‍Outdoor faucets are exposed to the elements, so they need protection. Before winter hits, disconnect and drain garden hoses, then shut off the water to any outdoor faucets. This will ensure that they aren’t damaged when temperatures drop.

Check for Exposed Pipes

‍One of the most common winter plumbing issues is frozen pipes. Prevent this by insulating any exposed water pipes in unheated areas of your property. Check all unheated areas of your home, including the crawlspace or basement, for exposed pipes. Cover them with insulation, foam sleeves, newspaper, or heat tape to prevent them from freezing.

‍Inspect Your Furnace

‍It may not seem like the furnace is part of your plumbing, but if your furnace goes out, your pipes are at risk for freezing and bursting as the temperature drops in your home. As you prepare for winter, make sure your furnace is working properly.

‍Service the Water Heater

‍After checking to make sure the furnace is working well, see if your water heater is too. Before winter hits, it’s a good idea to drain the water heater and have a maintenance check performed.

‍Prepare for Travel

If you have winter travel planned, make sure you don’t come home to a surprise burst pipe. You can either shut off the water to your home and drain the pipes, or leave the water on and keep the thermostat set high enough to prevent freezing.  A burst pipe when no one is home can lead to serious and costly damage, so make sure this doesn’t happen to you!

The professional plumbers at JTM Plumbing in Gretna are experienced, dedicated, and knowledgeable about the latest plumbing technology. Our team is ready to repair any damages that winter storms may cause, as well as offer plumbing maintenance services to help prevent future damage. Feel free to explore our website, or give us a call at (402) 203-6193, for more information.

Sources:‍

https://www.directenergy.com/learning-center/home-improvement/winter-plumbing-tips‍

http://jtmplumbing.wpengine.com/

‍https://www.angieslist.com/articles/6-tips-avoid-costly-winter-plumbing-leak.htm