Winterizing Plumbing Pipes

As a homeowner, there are some seasonal maintenance procedures that need to be carried out on your home. How much of these you need to do depends largely on the climate where you live among other factors. One of such seasonal maintenance projects is winterizing your plumbing pipes.

As the name suggests, winterizing your plumbing is a process that is aimed at getting your plumbing ready for the freezing temperatures that are bound to occur during the winter season. This drop in temperature can lead to breaks and leaks in your home plumbing. This is mainly because water freezes and expands during winter and this expansion can lead to serious damage to your plumbing pipes.

This is why prior to every winter season, it is recommended that you winterize your plumbing. Winterizing may also be necessary if a house will be left vacant for a long period at a time.

How To Prepare For Winterization

Generally, the process of winterizing your plumbing involves draining water from your plumbing, emptying your water heater, and filling up all the plumbing fixtures with antifreeze. Of course, this is an elaborate process that may require you to make a checklist of all your plumbing fixtures such as valves, taps, and pipes so you don’t miss a thing and end up with a nasty surprise when winter comes.

You should begin with a comprehensive check of the current condition of your plumbing to identify piping that will be most vulnerable to freezing when winter comes. This includes pipes on the exterior of walls and windows. Pipes in unheated spaces and those without proper insulation are also at risk. Your inspection should also include checks for current cracks and openings in your walls, floors, and ceiling through which cold air can enter your interior space and blocking them. These simple chores can save your plumbing from serious and costly damage when winter comes.