Needless to say, winter is coming, and while that might bring to mind cozy blankets and hot cocoa, it's also the season when your plumbing can face some serious challenges. Honestly, if you want to keep your plumbing in excellent condition, you’re going to have to know that the winter is by far the worst time for plumbing. It’s basically like the enemy.
Chances are, you might already know this, but cold weather can be rough on your pipes, and the last thing you want is to deal with a burst pipe in the middle of a snowstorm. But here’s the thing, you usually only need to worry about this if you live in an area that’s prone to freezing. So if you live in Arizona or Florida, there’s no worries, but anywhere that snows like Kentucky, Montana, or the New England states?
Well, then yeah you’lll have too keep prepared in order to keep your plumbing in good shape all winter long. So, with that all said, here’s how to get your pipes, water heater, and overall plumbing system ready for those chilly months ahead.
Insulate Your Pipes
One of the biggest winter threats to your plumbing is frozen pipes. Yes, this is usually the biggest of them all! So, when temperatures plummet, the water inside your pipes can freeze and expand, potentially causing them to burst. Not exactly the winter wonderland you were hoping for, right? To avoid this nightmare, start by insulating your pipes, especially those in unheated areas like the garage, basement, under the house (like in modular homes), or crawl spaces.
For the most part, pipe insulation is cheap and easy to find at most hardware stores. It's also a simple DIY task—just wrap the insulation around the pipes and secure it with tape. If you want extra protection, consider using heat tape or heating cables on those pipes that are most at risk. Honestly, there’s no reason why you can’t do any of this!
Keep Your Home Warm
How often are you home in the winter months? This is a serious question because your home needs to stay warm enough. Yes, this can affect frozen pipes. While sure, it seems like a no-brainer, but it’s easy to forget about those colder areas like basements or attics. Even if you like to keep the thermostat low to save on heating costs, it’s crucial to maintain a consistent temperature throughout the house, especially in places where pipes are located.
But what about vacations? What if you’ll be away for a while? Well, ideally, don't turn the thermostat down too much. Sure, it’s tempting to save on heating, but keeping it at least 55°F can help prevent your pipes from freezing while you’re gone. A little warmth goes a long way in avoiding a winter plumbing disaster.
Check Your Water Heater
Hands down, winter is not the time for a cold shower. Honestly, the idea alone sounds like a nightmare! Before the temperatures drop, make sure your water heater is ready for the season. Sure, chances are extremely high. If you’ve been using your water heater throughout other seasons, like spring or autumn, it’s still best to look into it before winter (or if it’s even getting chilly).
So, if your water heater is looking like it's seen better days, now might be a good time to consider a new water heater installation (ideally before it gets cold). So, it’s better to upgrade now than end up with a cold shower in the dead of winter!
Disconnect and Drain Outdoor Hoses
A lot of people don’t know about this, but yes, this is actually a big deal, too! So, by all means, you can’t forget about your outdoor plumbing! But why? Well, leaving hoses connected during the winter can cause the water inside to freeze and expand, which can lead to burst pipes. So, to prevent this, disconnect and drain all outdoor hoses before the first frost hits.
Just be sure to store them away for the winter to keep them in good condition. Seriously, it’s just as simple as that. Make sure to do this, and if you have an outdoor irrigation system, be sure to look into that, too.
Let Faucets Drip During Extreme Cold
Frozen and busted pipes were mentioned earlier, and while, yes, insulation is going to help (and you should do that), it’s still going to help to do a bit more if you can. So, when the weather forecast predicts a severe cold snap, one of the easiest things you can do to protect your pipes is to let your faucets drip. A slow trickle of water can help prevent the pipes from freezing by keeping the water moving.
It doesn’t have to be a steady stream—just a small drip is enough to relieve the pressure that builds up in frozen pipes. But this shouldn’t be hot or warm water either, as hot water freezes faster, but just lukewarm for the drip.
