In many parts of the country, unseasonably cold temperatures are already upon us. However, there is still time to prepare your plumbing for the freezing cold weather that lies ahead for at least the next four to five months. If you’ve ever experienced a burst pipe that was left unprotected, you’ll know the headaches that come along with getting it repaired before the next freeze arrives. Here are some tips to help you protect your plumbing this winter.
Start with a Reputable Plumber
Before getting into some of the things you can do to protect your plumbing this winter, a word of advice is in order. Always keep the contact information for a reputable plumber in your area on hand. No matter how hard you try to avert problems from frozen pipes, Murphy’s Law is set to prevail. Doesn’t it always? The following tips come from a plumber in the St. Louis area to help you avoid costly repairs. Whether or not you live in Kansas or Missouri, check them out to see just what kind of services you might need after a long and bitterly cold winter.
Insulate Outdoor Pipes
Quite often those pipes coming up from under the home that lead to outdoor spigots freeze in sub-zero weather. It really doesn’t even take those kinds of lows to see those pipes burst. You may not notice it right away but the moment the first thaw arrives, all that water spouting everywhere will give it away. They sell insulation for pipes at almost every home improvement store, so take the time to measure the lengths you can reach. Wrap them well with the insulation and you should be good to go.
Leave Some Faucets Running a Little
Depending on where you live, some plumbers suggest that you leave a few indoor faucets dripping a little at night to prevent pipes under the home from bursting. If you live outside the city where homes are distant from each other and there is no radiant heat like you find in cities, then this may prevent them from freezing. With so many buildings located next to each other, cities tend to stay a few degrees warmer than outlying rural areas.
Disconnect All Outdoor Hoses
Not only can outdoor hoses freeze and crack but the pressure building up from frozen hoses can cause the faucet or pipe leading to it to crack. Bear in mind that ice expands so that expansion may be just the impetus to cause major issues in the spigot or pipes.
Install Heat Cables on Vulnerable Pipes
This is something for which you may want to use the services of a plumber to accomplish. Heat cables have thermostats that turn the heat on or off, depending on what is needed at any moment. They are an amazing bit of technology that was never available in past generations, but a little cost now can prevent major repairs later.
These are just some of the tips to help you make it through a long, and inordinately cold winter. Just remember, if all else fails, keep that plumber’s number on hand. When you least expect it, Murphy takes over and that isn’t at all good for your home!
