The leaves are starting to fall from the trees, and you may be having to wear a jacket in the morning, so it is time to think about preparing your pipes for the cooler temperatures. This process is known as “winterizing”. This process that prepares pipes and plumbing for freezing temperatures that can cause leaks and breaks, causing flooding and a myriad of issues. When water freezes, it expands as it becomes ice. This expansion produces pressure within pipes. As the ice starts to melt, it can make a pipe burst so it is very important to take some time and prepare your pipes for winter.
Get Your Checklist Ready
Begin with a quick checklist for winterizing your plumbing. It is best to make yourself a brief list of all your home’s plumbing parts, including all faucets and valves so as not to miss anything.
Frozen Pipes Can Burst Causing Water Damage Restoration
Identify which of your pipes is most vulnerable to freezing. To do this be sure to look for pipes located on outside walls, uninsulated pipes, and pipes installed in or near unheated spaces.
- Keep faucets dripping, allowing the water to continuously flow through your pipes and preventing it from freezing. Make sure your homes crawl space is properly insulated.
- Block vents that lead to the outside of the home or building using cardboard or wood.
- Don’t forget to check hose bibs. Hose bibs are normally left unattended, causing them to burst in the middle of the night. Drain all water from the hose bibs and insulate them with covers.
Following these steps may save you and your home or business from leaks and water damage. If you do have damage to your home or business, ServiceMaster by Cornerstone has experts in water restoration experts to help 24 hours a day 365 days a year.
