Having to deal with home repairs during the frigid winter months can be a major pain, especially when issues could have been avoided through preventative maintenance. Whether busted or sealed up in a coat of ice, frozen pipes are among the worse problems that can arise for you this winter. Even if you don’t live in an area that typically experiences frozen pipes, it’s better to be safe than sorry because, as we all know, the weather can change its mind in a snap.
Like prepping your property for an impending rainstorm or heat wave, performing regular home inspections year round is key in preventative maintenance for frozen pipes. You can often perform basic inspections and maintenance yourself, such as prepping indoor and outdoor pipes for possible freezing temperatures. Otherwise, you may end up having to call a plumber in Modesto CA.
In order to avoid the possibility of your home’s pipes freezing, you must take steps this winter to minimize risk. Therefore, it behooves any homeowner to know some of the common causes of frozen pipes and how to prevent them from wreaking havoc on a home:
- Disconnect outdoor water sources: If temperatures are predicted to dip below freezing, garden hoses should be disconnected from faucet heads, drained completely of water and stored away. Drain spigots, shut off outside water valves and insulate faucets. You should do the same for outdoor kitchens. When a hard freeze occurs, water left inside hoses has the potential to expand and, because of pressure buildup, interior pipes can burst, causing damage to your home’s plumbing.
- Insulate walls: Keep the cold out of your home and away from pipes with a high quality, properly installed insulation product. Plumbing pipes running through exterior walls can succumb to freezing when walls are not properly insulated.
- Let warm air circulate around enclosed pipes: When it’s cold enough, air comes to a standstill in enclosed areas. Periodically, open up cabinet doors where water pipes are located to let warm indoor air circulate. This includes areas under kitchen and bathroom sinks.
- Close windows and vents and weather seal your home: Cold drafts can invade your home through poorly sealed windows, doors and even the chimney. Water pipes near drafty areas and open-air vents have been known to freeze when outside temperatures are below freezing. Take precautionary measures by adding new weather sealant to windows and doors.
- Take precautions when leaving for the winter: Extreme cold weather typically greets us when the holidays are here. If you have vacation plans that will take you away from home, it’s a good idea to shut off the main water valve, then drain remaining water from indoor faucets and flush all water from toilets. Leaving the heating unit turned on and set between 55 and 68 degrees also helps to keep pipes from freezing up.
Setting aside time to do your own seasonal home inspections can save time and money on avoidable repairs. To be doubly sure your home’s pipes are prepared for a possible freezing spell, contact a reputable plumber in Modesto, CA for a professional checkup. Alvarado Pumping Septic Service looks forward to assisting with all of your home plumbing and septic needs. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment!