There’s no denying it: the winter has arrived! The sudden drop in temperature is a dead giveaway that Richmond, Virginia homeowners are turning up their heating systems and doing their best to keep warm – but are you also doing your best to protect the pipes of your plumbing system?
If you haven’t considered them yet, follow these steps to protect your pipes from freezing, or worse, bursting and causing a big mess!
- Drain water from swimming pool and water sprinkler supply lines following manufacturer or installer’s directions.
- Remove, drain and store hoses used outdoors. Close inside valves supplying outdoor hose bibs. Open the outside hose bibs to allow water to drain. Keep the valve open so that any water remaining in the pipe can expand without causing the pipe to break.
- Add insulation to attics, basements and crawl spaces. Insulation will maintain higher temperatures in these areas.
- Check around the home for other areas where water supply lines are located in unheated areas. Look in the garage, and under kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Both hot and cold water pipes in these areas should be insulated.
- Consider installing specific products made to insulate water pipes like a “pipe sleeve” or installing UL-listed “heat tape,” “heat cable,” or similar materials on exposed water pipes.
If you do happen to run into any issues with your plumbing system this winter, don’t hesitate to reach out to Your Home Team’s professional plumbing experts! Meanwhile, following the tips listed about can help further protect your home’s plumbing system from the bitter cold. Contact us online for more help keeping you and your family warm this winter!
