Before the winter season arrives, it’s important to prepare your
home for the cold months ahead, particularly your plumbing system.
As temperatures drop and pipes begin to chill, there is a growing
risk that expanding ice could burst your pipes and flood your home.
At M.D. Plumbing & Mechanical we work with clients across Charlotte,
NC, ensuring homes are ready for the cold snap. If you want to learn
more about how you can prevent leaks and plumbing damage follow
along with our winter plumbing maintenance checklist.
Wrap Exposed Pipes
As you begin your winter plumbing inspection, start with exposed
pipes. Locate the exposed pipes in your home, and ensure they are
either in an area where they will receive adequate warm air, or you
insulate them. You can purchase pipe insulation wrap from any home
hardware store. You may even find pipe insulation at a dollar store
or department store in the hardware section.
Wrapping the pipes doesn’t require a professional, although you can
call a heating and cooling company, or a plumbing company to help
you winterize your pipes. When you insulate exposed pipes, it helps
retain warmth and keep the chill from freezing water, especially at
night when pipes are left unused.
Disconnect Outdoor Water Systems
Everything from your garden hose to your sprinkler system is at risk
of being damaged during winters in Charlotte, NC. At M.D. Plumbing &
Mechanical we always recommend homeowners disconnect garden hoses,
sprinklers, water features (fountains), and other external plumbing
connected to their home.
The pipes connecting to these outdoor features will obviously take
the brunt of the cold winter season. Unlike the exposed pipes in
your home, it wouldn’t make sense to try and insulate garden hoses
and sprinklers, especially because you’re unlikely to use them
during the cold months.
Turn up the Thermostat
Even before autumn fades into frosty winter nights, it’s a good idea
to start turning up the heat, even slightly. Consider resting your
thermostat somewhere around 18 degrees Celsius or 64.4 degrees
Fahrenheit to start. You don’t want to blast your home with heat if
you don’t need it, but you also don’t want your pipes to freeze if
there is unexpected snow early in the season.
Energy.gov suggests the best temperature once your home gets cold is
20 degrees Celsius, or 68 degrees Fahrenheit. This is during the day
when you’re awake and need temperature control. At night you can
decrease the temperature to save money.
Plan Your Getaways
Going away for the holidays? It’s always helpful to have a plan
ahead of time regarding plumbing and thermostats. If you won’t be
around for a significant amount of time, asking a friend or relative
to check in on the place can save you the hassle of coming home to a
busted pipe.
House-sitters should regulate heat, and run the taps in the home a
few times a day to keep them from freezing up. If you are lucky
enough to have a smart thermostat, you can program your home to warm
when necessary, or even control the temperature remotely from
wherever you are in the world via an online connection.
Inspect Your Water Heater
As you prep for the winter, be sure to give your water heater a
once-over. Even if it’s running smoothly, it should be inspected
once a year for damage, leaks, cracks, or odd smells or sounds. If
everything appears to be working, you can relax knowing your hot
showers will be hot all winter.
If the heater needs repairs or maintenance, be sure to call a
plumber in Charlotte, NC right away. It’s important to fix these
issues early before they become larger irreparable problems that
lead to water heater replacements.
Check Your Water Pressure
Water pressure tells you a lot about how your plumbing is running.
If your pressure seems lower than normal, it could be due to a leak
or blockage. It’s important to report these issues to your plumber
early.
We always urge our clients to call at the smallest sign of trouble.
In the world of plumbing, something small almost always turns into
something big if left unattended. Water pressure could be a symptom
of a much bigger problem, and you don’t want to wait until the
ground is frozen and snow is falling to figure it out.
Clean the Gutters
While not necessarily related to your home plumbing system, your
gutters deal with drainage away from your roof. Many plumbing
companies help homeowners inspect and clear gutters twice annually.
The best time to clear your gutters is after spring when the pollen,
sap, and blossoms have finished blowing around, and just after fall
when fallen leaves, twigs and other debris fill most gutters.
Clearing your gutters and downspouts ensures a clear flow of water
away from your roof and your home. This prevents unwanted leaks and
flooding as shingle damage, rot, mold, and pests are attracted to
the debris and blocked water.
Check Faucets and Taps
From your shower head to your bathroom sink to your kitchen sink,
leaking faucets are a sign something isn’t quite right. Before
winter approaches, check your home for dripping faucets, and be sure
all your taps are tightened and performing as they should.
Leaking faucets allow water to flow in small quantities, and at
night while you’re sleeping and temperatures are low, this water
could freeze. Unfreezing your pipes is a daunting task and one which
almost always requires the help of a professional.
If you notice any faucets which you can’t fix on your own, or you
find yourself overwhelmed with the winter plumbing checklist, call a
professional. Experienced plumbers are used to dealing with these
types of issues, and are always happy to lend a hand, even on small
jobs.
Contact M.D. Plumbing & Mechanical Today
Interested in learning more about protecting your home during the
winter season, and which plumbing services would benefit you? We can
help. If you live in or around Charlotte, NC, call us at M.D.
Plumbing & Mechanical today.
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