Halloween is here, Thanksgiving is around the corner, and winter is coming. The holiday season spans the end of fall and beginning of winter. It’s one of the best times of the year, but it can distract us from making sure our home’s are properly prepared for the cold weather season if we’re not careful. One area of our homes that it is crucial we ensure is prepared for winter is our plumbing.
Freezing weather can cause new plumbing problems and make existing plumbing issues worse. That’s why it is important to make sure your home’s plumbing is ready to face winter. You don’t want the holidays to be ruined because of a burst pipe or overflowing toilet.
Tips for Preparing Your Home’s Plumbing for Winter
You need to make sure your home’s plumbing is ready to handle winter and its freezing temperatures. The following are a few tips for preparing your home’s plumbing for winter:
- Insulate your garage – If your garage is unheated and you have plumbing running through it, it’s a good idea to make sure your garage door is insulated. This will help keep the garage warmer and help prevent the plumbing running through your garage from succumbing to the cold weather.
- Check pipes for bulges – Check any exposed pipes for bulges. A bulge in a pipe is usually a spot in the pipe where the water in the pipe froze and pushed against the inside of the pipe until it bulged out. Bulges generally lead to the pipe bursting. If you find a bulge, have that pipe repaired right away. Otherwise, it will most likely burst the next time your area experiences freezing temperatures.
- Open cabinets – This only applies to cabinets under sinks with exposed pipes running through them. Keeping the cabinets open will allow warm air from the room to help keep the exposed pipes warm and help lessen the chances that they freeze/burst.
- Drip faucets – Dripping your faucets when the weather is extremely cold can help relieve pressure in the pipes and prevent your pipes from bursting if standing water in the pipes does freeze.
In addition to the above tips, it’s not a bad idea to have an experienced plumber inspect your plumbing system to ensure it is prepared for winter. A plumber will be able to spot issues you might miss and help ensure that any necessary issues are pinpointed and addressed before winter arrives.
Need Help Preparing Your Home’s Plumbing for Winter? Contact Smith’s Plumbing Services Today!
For more than a decade, homeowners and businesses in Memphis have relied on Smith’s Plumbing Services as their go-to plumbing services provider. Our team of plumbing experts can successfully handle a wide range of plumbing problems. Plus, we have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. To learn more about Smith’s Plumbing Services, and why we’re the best choice to help you with your plumbing problems, check out our customers’ reviews.
Call us at (901) 290-1110 or reach out to us online today to speak with our experienced plumbers in Memphis about your situation. We are available 24/7 for emergencies, and we offer discounts and affordable upfront pricing.