Winter is near – and in addition to properly insulating their home and cranking up the heating system to stay warm during the season, homeowners should also keep their plumbing in mind. According to an article from Bobvila.com, a home’s plumbing system needs to undergo winterization, too.
Pipes are more vulnerable in the cold; they tend to burst when water turns to ice and causes a blockage, resulting in water damage and requiring the need for costly clean-up and repairs. Thus, pipes need to be properly insulated to withstand cold temperatures. This can be done on your own, or by professional Austin plumbing contractors with whom you can be assured that the work will be properly executed.
The article from Bobvila written by Emily Burns Morgan gives a few suggestions on what could be done to insulate pipes and keep them from freezing in the winter, some of which are provided below:
“Anywhere cold air blows on a pipe, it creates the potential for freezing. To make sure your pipes are well-insulated, close crawl space vents and stuff insulation over the openings. Even a tiny hole can let a lot of cold air blow in; make sure you fill in all the cracks.
A bathroom or laundry room located above or next to a garage can be particularly vulnerable, so keep the garage door closed to maintain maximum heat. […]
Finally, never turn off the heat when you leave home during the winter. Instead, set the temperature to at least 55 degrees F […]. If you have multiple heat zones, be sure to adjust all thermostats appropriately.”
Aside from insulating the pipes themselves, you should also seal cracks or holes on the walls, vents and crawl spaces, and doors and windows. Insulating all of these parts of the home can reduce the risk of cold air coming in contact with your pipes and causing damage.
Furthermore, regular inspections of your heating system is also important to make sure that it is in perfect condition throughout the season. Besides, the last thing you need is a drafty, cold house!
You can get in touch with leading Austin plumbing contractors such as Pure Plumbing Service for all your plumbing needs, from system maintenance to sewer repairs. They have skilled and experienced plumbers who are equipped to handle any plumbing job. They can save you time and effort, and you can be assured that the job is done right from the get-go.
(Article Excerpt and Image from Everything You Need to Know About Winterizing Pipes, Bobvila)
