How To Winterize Your Pipes

Have you been spending your weekends outdoors caring for your property and getting your home ready for winter? If so, we applaud you! If not, there’s still time before temperatures drop below freezing, and you’re in for a world of trouble. Utilize your next few weekends wisely and remember to take care of exposed pipes. Why? Find out below:

When exterior temperatures drop below 32ºF you run the risk of having any stagnant water in your pipes freeze, even if it’s only for just a short period of time. Why is this a bad thing? Well, if water inside a pipe freezes not only can it block the line, it can cause pressure to build up and the pipe can burst. That’s a headache no homeowner wants to deal with.

Inside your home, look for any pipes in areas where cold air blows. Common places where pipes freeze include basements, near exterior walls and inside garages. Be sure to insulate these pipes with wool or foam insulation. You can find these materials in just about any home improvement or hardware store.

Outside of your home, disconnect garden hoses and turn off the water leading to outdoor fixtures. You’ll also want to turn off and drain your sprinkler lines while temperatures are still moderate.

If you happen to find yourself in a frozen pipe situation this season, don’t hesitate to call on the expert plumbers at ABC Plumbing right away. The sooner you get the problem taken care of, the better!