Cold weather can cause problems for the plumbing in your house if you don’t take steps to prevent potential disasters. A frozen pipe can break, flooding your home and leading to water damage and expensive repairs. This guide outlines some simple tips to follow to maintain your pipes during the winter season. 

How to Prepare Residential Plumbing for Winter

1. Insulate Pipes

Frozen plumbing is a common problem homeowners experience in the winter. When the liquid inside pipes turns to ice, it expands, causing them to rupture. Water will start pouring into your home and cause extensive damage to the flooring, walls, and furniture. Wrap pipes in rubber or foam insulation tubes to prevent them from freezing and bursting.

2. Keep the Water Flowing

When the temperature is very low, allow a small trickle of water to flow from your faucets during the night. Liquid that's in motion won’t freeze. While this may make your water bill a bit higher than usual, it will still be much cheaper than having to pay for major home repairs.

3. Close Shut Off Valves & Put Away Outdoor Hoses

Disconnect any hoses from outdoor spigots. You also need to turn off the water supply to these bibbs by closing the shut-off valve. These are usually located under sinks, in basements and crawl spaces, and near water heaters. After you turn it off, open exterior spouts to let the remaining water escape.

If you don't empty and drain outdoor spigots, ice that forms in the tube can cause pressure to build up and lead to a burst pipe inside the house. Cover exterior spouts with faucet jackets to prevent cold air from getting inside the plumbing, as well.

4. Keep the Garage Door Closed

Since most garages aren’t insulated, cold air can blow in and hit walls that are connected to the inside of the home. Keep your garage door shut to keep chilly air away from the house's interior. You can also insulate the panels or the entire space if you have exposed water lines in the garage.

The team at Riley-Armstrong Plumbing & Heating in Fort Dodge, IA, can inspect and prepare your plumbing system for cold weather. This plumbing contractor boasts over 30 years of experience. Their fully-licensed crew can handle residential and commercial jobs of all sizes, whether you have a leaky faucet, clogged drain, or burst pipe. They offer 24/7 service to ensure all emergencies are taken care of promptly and efficiently. Call (515) 955-2232 to receive a free estimate, or visit the website for more information.