Getting Your House Ready for Winter: Essential Winter Plumbing Tips

As winter approaches, homeowners often focus on sealing windows, clearing gutters, and stocking up on firewood, but preparing your home’s plumbing system is equally important. Cold temperatures can wreak havoc on pipes, causing them to freeze, burst, and lead to expensive repairs. At Beemer Plumbing & Excavation, we want to help you avoid these potential disasters. In this blog post, we’ll share expert winter plumbing tips for how to get your home’s plumbing ready for winter.

Why Winter Plumbing Preparation is Essential

Winter brings freezing temperatures that can turn a minor plumbing issue into a costly emergency. Frozen pipes are one of the biggest concerns for homeowners in cold climates. Water expands when it freezes, which can cause pipes to burst, leading to leaks, water damage, and the need for significant repairs.

By taking the proper precautions now, you can prevent these issues and ensure that your plumbing system remains functional throughout the colder months. From insulating your pipes to servicing your water heater, preparing your plumbing for winter will save you time, money, and stress.

Essential Winter Plumbing Tips

1. Insulate Exposed Pipes

One of the most effective ways to prevent pipes from freezing is to insulate them. Pipes located in unheated areas of your home—such as basements, attics, garages, and crawl spaces—are particularly vulnerable to freezing temperatures. Wrapping them with foam pipe insulation or heat tape provides an extra layer of protection against the cold.

Key Areas to Insulate:

• Attics and crawl spaces
• Exterior walls and basements
• Garages and outdoor faucets

Additionally, for those particularly cold nights, leaving a small trickle of water running through the faucet can help prevent pipes from freezing, as the moving water will not solidify as quickly.

2. Drain Outdoor Faucets and Hoses

Outdoor faucets and hoses are often overlooked when winterizing a home, but these are some of the most exposed areas to cold temperatures. Before the first freeze, make sure to disconnect any hoses and drain them. If water remains in your hoses, it can freeze, expand, and damage both the hose and faucet. Additionally, shut off the water supply to outdoor faucets and drain the lines completely.

For added protection, consider installing faucet covers, which provide insulation and shield your faucets from freezing.

3. Service Your Water Heater

Your water heater works overtime during the winter months to keep your home supplied with hot water. To ensure it’s running efficiently, schedule a professional water heater maintenance service before winter hits. This includes flushing out the tank to remove sediment buildup, checking the anode rod, and testing the temperature and pressure relief valve.

Additionally, consider adjusting the thermostat on your water heater to 120°F to improve efficiency while ensuring you still have plenty of hot water during colder months. If your water heater is nearing the end of its lifespan (typically around 10-12 years), now may be the time to consider an upgrade before winter stresses the system.

4. Inspect for Leaks and Drips

Even the smallest leaks can become big problems during the winter. A small drip can freeze and block the pipe, causing pressure to build up behind the blockage. Over time, this pressure can lead to a burst pipe.

Walk through your home and inspect all visible plumbing for leaks, drips, and signs of wear. Pay close attention to areas around sinks, toilets, and appliances. Fix any issues you find promptly to avoid bigger problems when temperatures drop.

5. Know Where Your Shut-Off Valve Is

In the event that a pipe does burst during the winter, knowing where your main water shut-off valve is located can save you from extensive water damage. If a pipe freezes or bursts, you’ll need to shut off the water immediately to prevent further damage. Make sure that everyone in your household knows where the valve is and how to turn it off.

Typically, the shut-off valve is located near where the water line enters your home, often in the basement or crawl space. Test it now to ensure it’s working properly.

6. Install a Sump Pump (or Test Yours)

If your home has a basement, you’ll want to make sure it’s equipped with a functioning sump pump. Heavy snow melts can cause water to seep into your basement, leading to flooding. A sump pump helps redirect water away from your home, preventing moisture buildup and water damage.

If you already have a sump pump, test it to ensure it’s working properly. You can do this by pouring a bucket of water into the sump pit; the pump should activate and begin removing the water immediately. If it doesn’t, contact a professional for repairs before winter arrives.

7. Keep Your Home Heated

While it might be tempting to lower your thermostat when you’re away to save on heating bills, it’s important to keep your home heated to at least 55°F during the winter. Even if you’re on vacation, maintaining this minimum temperature will help prevent your pipes from freezing. Additionally, keep cabinet doors open under sinks (especially those on exterior walls) to allow warm air to circulate around the pipes.

8. Winterize Unoccupied Homes

If you own a vacation home or are planning to be away from your primary residence for an extended period of time, winterizing your plumbing is essential. In addition to keeping the heat on, you can also shut off the water supply and drain all pipes to prevent freezing.

Here’s how to winterize an unoccupied home:

• Turn off the water supply at the main shut-off valve.
• Open all faucets and flush toilets to drain the water.
• Add antifreeze to any remaining water in traps and drains.
• Consider having a plumber blow out your pipes with compressed air to ensure there’s no water left inside.

9. Schedule a Professional Inspection

Ready for the last of the winter plumbing tips? While there are many steps homeowners can take on their own to prepare for winter, scheduling a professional plumbing inspection is always a good idea. A licensed plumber can identify potential issues you might miss and ensure your home’s plumbing is ready for winter. Beemer Plumbing & Excavation offers comprehensive winter plumbing inspections to give you peace of mind as the temperatures drop.

Winterizing your home’s plumbing system is essential to avoid costly repairs and damage. By insulating your pipes, draining outdoor faucets, servicing your water heater, and addressing leaks, you can ensure your plumbing is ready for winter. We hope these winter plumbing tips have been helpful, but remember, if you’re not sure where to start, Beemer Plumbing & Excavation is here to help. Our experienced team can inspect your system, offer expert advice, and perform any necessary repairs to keep your home’s plumbing in top shape throughout the colder months. Contact Beemer Plumbing & Excavation today to schedule a winter plumbing inspection and protect your home from the cold weather ahead!