Sharing Knowledge About Residential Plumbing

Now that summer is officially over, and winter is just around the corner, it's time to get your plumbing prepared for the freezing temperatures. The harsh winter months can wreak havoc on your plumbing, especially if you haven't winterized your home properly. Before the temperatures take a significant dip this winter, make sure your plumbing is prepared. Here are three steps you can take to protect your plumbing.

Wrap Your Pipes

With winter just around the corner, one of the simplest ways to protect your plumbing is to wrap your pipes. You can use a wide variety of materials to insulate your pipes for the winter.

Newspaper

Old newspaper is one of the easiest materials to use when insulating water pipes for the winter. Simply wrap several sheets of newspaper around the pipes and then secure the paper with duct tape.

Foam Swim Noodles

If you have a swimming pool, you probably have several foam swim noodles lying around your yard now that summer is over. You can use those to insulate your pipes. Cut the foam noodles into 9" long segments. Use a utility knife to cut a line lengthwise down the segments. Open the foam up and place it around your exposed pipes. Secure the foam with duct tape. It's important to note that you can cut your foam to fit each section of pipe.

Disconnect Your Garden Hoses

If you have garden hoses connected to outdoor faucets, you need to remove those before the freezing temperatures arrive. Any water that's left in the hoses from summer can freeze. Once the water freezes, it will expand. If the hoses are attached to the faucets when the water freezes, the expansion can cause your pipes to burst. If that happens, you're going to be facing expensive repair costs, and potential water-damage.

Give Your Sump Pump a Checkup

If you have a basement, you need to make sure that your drainage system is working properly. The first thing you should do is make sure that your basement drain pipe is clear. The next thing you need to do is inspect your sump pump. If you can see visible signs of damage, you should replace the sump pump before winter arrives. If your basement should flood this winter, you'll need your sump pump to remove the water.

With freezing temperatures just around the corner, now's the time to prepare your plumbing for the cold. Use the tips provided here to get your plumbing ready for the changing temperatures. Be sure to contact your plumber for other helpful tips on how to avoid plumbing emergencies this winter. For more information, see a website such as http://terryrossplumbing.com/.