As temperatures begin to fall, it is only a matter of time before winter arrives. Without sufficient preparation, your home's plumbing and heating system may succumb to the harsh weather conditions of the season. Complete all necessary tasks prior to the arrival of the cold months, so you can relax and stay warm.

Why Is It Essential to Winterize Your Home?

Winter's frigid temperatures can cause the water inside the pipes to freeze, cutting off your supply until the ice thaws. Another danger is that plumbing lines burst or rupture, resulting in severe water damage throughout your home. Even with the heating system functioning, there is no guarantee that your pipes would not freeze or burst, so proper winterization remains your best bet.  

What Steps Should You Take?

Begin by winterizing the exterior of your home because freezing caused by external sources can wreak havoc on the internal plumbing. Turn off the water supply to any hoses, sprinklers, and faucets and leave them open until they run dry, so the water drains completely. Hoses should be disconnected, outdoor faucet socks installed, and outdoor pipes insulated with sleeves or slip-on foam pipes.

Additionally, it’s important to insulate the pipes within the home, particularly those that run through unheated areas such as the attic, crawlspace, basement, and garage. Use foam pipe insulation wraps and electrical tape to seal the gap.

Locate and seal any air leaks. Not only can they reduce the efficiency of your heating system, but they can also cause unintentional pipe freezing. Caulk, weatherstripping, and insulation should be applied to the most vulnerable areas, including around doors, windows, external wall sockets and switches, wiring, and plumbing.

Allow warm air to circulate and reach the pipes to avoid freezing. During a cold snap, keep cabinet doors beneath sinks open, adjust the thermostat, and reverse the direction of ceiling fans to push down and move heated air.

Keep your plumbing and heating system in good condition this winter with help from Barron Plumbing & Heating. Serving homes in and around Barron, WI, they’ve offered a range of heating services and plumbing repairs for more than 50 years. And if you do have a ruptured pipe or another plumbing emergency, they offer 24/7 services. Reach out at (715) 537-3448 or view their full list of services online.