In the middle of winter, we often grab a jacket, winter hat, or pair of gloves. We bundle up to stay warm. Consider bundling up your home for winter too. Especially your water pipes. Water pipes on an outside wall can freeze even though your home is insulated and heated. Nobody wants to turn on a faucet to get no water and then realize the pipe is frozen. It’s a messy situation.
Winterizing your home means preparing against Mother Nature without enduring preventable damage. Who should winterize their home? Anyone who lives in an area where temperatures are regularly below 32 degrees Fahrenheit during the winter. It’s especially crucial for snowbirds who leave their home during winter for an extended period. Consider these tips to safeguard your water pipes from freezing.
Winterizing Your Home Checklist
Adjust your home’s thermostat
If you plan to “snowbird” to warmer weather, turn your thermostat no lower than 55 degrees. It will keep the home warm enough to prevent freezing water pipes. Also, have family or a trusted neighbor check on the house periodically to check for any unexpected damages.
Disconnect Any Outside Garden Hoses
If you have outside spigots, turn off the water valve leading to the outside spigot inside the house, and turn on the outside spigot to drain any water. Install an insulated outdoor faucet cover found at many local home stores for extra protection. Outside faucet covers should be considered if there is no shut-off valve to the outside spigot(s).
Outdoor Sprinkling Systems
Just like an outside garden hose, you’ll want to shut off any water to an outdoor sprinkling system. It’s recommended to call a professional landscaping company to blow out any remaining water in the lines to prevent freezing.
Close Crawl Space Vents
You’ll want to stuff insulation in crawlspace vents to prevent cold airflow in the crawlspace. Even the tiniest holes can create a cold atmosphere, potentially causing pipes to freeze. If you feel it falls below freezing in your crawlspace, you can also insulate the water pipes with pipe insulation found at local home stores.
Outside Wall and Piping
When there are periods of extreme cold, consider opening the cabinet or vanity doors where water pipes are on a home’s outside wall. It allows warm air to flow into the cabinet or vanity, preventing a frozen pipe. A fan will also help circulate air near the pipes.
Signs You May Have Frozen Pipes
– You turn on the faucet, but no water comes out. Call a local plumber to fix the water pipe when you have a frozen pipe.
– The water is turned off, but you hear water running. If this is the case, you have a leak somewhere in your home. First, shut off the water at the main source. Next, turn on a faucet at the lowest point in the house to drain any remaining water in the plumbing system. Finally, call a local plumber to fix the leak.
If you have questions or have a frozen pipe, reach out to us or call 815-385-3093.
