Winter in Massachusetts can be brutal, and plumbing systems are one of the most vulnerable components of a home. As temperatures drop and the cold sets in, unprepared homes can quickly find themselves with frozen pipes, frozen water heaters, or even worse. Ensuring your plumbing is winter-ready before the cold weather hits are essential to avoiding costly repairs and frustrating delays. A well-maintained plumbing system should offer years of dependable service with little hassle; taking the right preventative measures now can save you both time and money in the future.
Winterizing Your Plumbing
Winterizing your plumbing is necessary to ensure that your pipes and water sources remain in the best condition during the cold winter season. This means taking special steps to prevent freeze damage, such as uninsulated pipes outside the home, including:
Turning Off Outdoor Water Sources
When temperatures drop below freezing, any water remaining in exposed pipes or hoses can freeze and expand, often resulting in unexpected breakage. This can cause serious damage to your faucets and the surrounding area and is far more expensive than a simple preventative measure. Making sure that all hoses are disconnected and drained completely is the best way to ensure no additional damage will be done when the winter is through. Taking the time now to turn off outdoor hoses and faucets as winter hits can help save money and hassle down the road
Insulate Pipes
One of the best ways to ensure the system is up and running throughout the cold months is to ensure your pipes are adequately insulated. Wrapping them in insulation will keep them from freezing over, which could cause irreparable damage and expensive repairs.
Additionally, applying insulation to your piping can help save on energy costs since it reduces heat loss through conductive cooling and prevents cold air from reaching inside your home. Insulating not only keep your house comfortable during winter times but also helps maintain the life of your pipes.
Locate Your Water Shut Off Valve
Knowing where the main water valve is—and understanding how to turn it off—is a critical piece of winter safety. This can be particularly important for homeowners who travel during the winter since freezing temperatures and burst pipes often occur when least expected. Turning off the main water supply in an emergency can help limit the damage from frozen pipes and prevent floods from broken pipes.
For all of your plumbing needs and questions contact Cotti-Johnson at (774) 768-5154!