QUESTION:
What should I do to winterize my external plumbing systems?
Answer:
Winterizing your external plumbing system is the most important job if you live in areas that freeze in the winter. The simple fact that water expands when frozen has caused countless problems for homeowners when temperatures dip below zero. Ignore this job and you could be faced with flooding, water damage and thousands of dollars worth of plumbing bills. Unfortunately, many homeowners wait until snow hits the ground before they take these steps to protect their home:
- Drain exterior water pipes and any pipes that run through unheated areas (such as a garage, crawlspace or unheated porch). If draining these pipes isn’t possible, wrap them with foam insulation or heat tape.
- Disconnect and drain garden hoses. Store them in a heated area for the winter.
- Drain underground sprinkler systems.
If you are not sure how to do these things or cannot find valves to shut off the external water, give us a call today and we would be more than happy to show you how.