Winter Plumbing Tips

Essential Plumbing Tips for Winter

Winters can be tough, not only on a person and their body but also in your house, and especially, the plumbing in your house. If you are lucky and live in Santa Cruz or the surrounding areas of California, you may not need to worry very often about pipes freezing or other woes that accompany the harsh chilly conditions of winter, but it has been known to freeze and with cold season rapidly moving in, now is the time to start exploring ways to keep your home safe from disaster. It is better to be prepared and not need the prep than to not bother with it and find out too late that being ready was necessary. Be sure to keep the following tips in mind whether you own a home in Santa Cruz, or in regions where freezing occurs frequently in the cold season as they can help you avoid costly repairs from leaks.

Protect the pipes from freezing weather

Before the first signs of chilly climate appear, you need to have your pipes wrapped to avoid the harsh cold from freezing them. You can purchase foam tubes to insulate them. Pool noodles are a great choice if you have a pool and want to get more use from the noodles when swimming season is over. To use the pool noodles or foam, simply cut the sides to fit over and then use duct tape to secure them in place where they won’t slip off. While pool noodles are not the best to use, they do a decent job and are less expensive than other products. Pipe insulation can be picked up at the local hardware shop and it is inexpensive as well.

Fix all leaks

Even a small drip from can cause a major disaster in frosty weather. With a leak, water can freeze and it can cause the pipe to burst. It can also cause surrounding pipes to burst due to the pressure and this can be very expensive. On top of damage that can be caused, a leak can run your bill up. There is no better time than now to repair a leak.

Disconnect Outdoor Hoses

During the wintertime, you really will not need to have the hose connected outside. Disconnect it and make sure the exterior faucet is shut off and not leaking. Keeping a hose connected can cause frozen drains which are expensive to repair.

Check Sump Pumps

Sump pumps are very important and just before weather hits, they need to be checked to ensure they are working properly. It can be very costly to have water enter a basement and flood things. This is especially true when rainy weather hits during the icy season and the sump pump is not working correctly to prevent flooding.

Well Pump

If you have a well on your property that you use for drinking, bath or other water in your house, be sure to check the pump before chilly weather arrives this season. The pump should be insulated to keep flowing smoothly all season long. You also need to make sure you have the pump enclosed in an area that has plenty of heat to prevent the water from freezing as it hits the drains.

Evaporative Cooler

If you have an evaporative cooler instead of a typical air conditioning or heating system, you need to make sure it has been drained before chilly conditions begins to ensure it does not freeze and burst during the snowy conditions. You should also take time to make sure it is covered and that you have the new filters in place to begin using it again when warmer temps arrive in the spring.

Outside Sprinkler Systems

Just as with the outdoor hose, be sure to disconnect any yard sprinklers you may have for your lawn and garden. Sprinklers will collect water and once it begins to freeze, it can cause your sprinkler, as well as the hose leading to it, to burst. This can lead to more damage in the pipes under and around your home and can be very expensive to repair if not noticed early.

The wintertime should be spent spending time cozy and warm inside your comfortable home or out with friends or family enjoying the festivities of the holidays. The last thing you need, or want, is to battle the bitter cold while trying to repair a drain on your own or while showing a plumber where they are located. Preparing ahead of time can help you avoid costly bills when frosty temperatures arrive and cause preventable damage to your drains.

For a plumbing inspection to make sure you are ready for the cold season, be sure to contact us and we will send a pro to your home or office to get your plumbing winterized.