Winters in New York can be cold and brutal. Freezing temperatures and frost can place additional strain on your home’s plumbing system and cause a variety of problems. Many of these problems can be prevented by contacting a professional plumbing company and taking a few simple steps. Here are some ways you can protect your plumbing for winter in New York.
Insulate Pipes
Preventing frozen pipes during the winter is important. Frozen pipes can burst and cause flooding in your home. Fortunately, by insulating your exposed plumbing, including pipes, you can prevent this from occurring. It’s especially important to do this in unheated areas, such as crawl spaces, basements, and garages. Pipe sleeves, foam insulation, or heat tape can be used to keep pipes warm. If your pipes are made of copper, heat tape is a great option since it can be wrapped around the pipes to offer direct warmth. Pay particular attention to pipes that may be exposed to outdoor elements. A plumbing expert can help you insulate the pipes in your home with relative ease.
Schedule a Plumbing Inspection
When winterizing your home’s plumbing, schedule a routine inspection from a reputable plumbing company. A professional inspection can identify issues related to your pipes and fixtures and determine whether they need repair. Common existing problems, such as weak pipe joints or small leaks, can quickly become serious if left unattended. Even if you are unsure about the condition of your plumbing system, an inspection can provide you with a comprehensive overview. This can help you save money by identifying and repairing small problems before they become extensive.
Fill Cracks and Gaps
Cracks and gaps in your home can allow cold winter air to seep in and freeze pipes and other plumbing fixtures. For this reason, you should have a professional identify these cracks and gaps and fill them with foam spray or caulking. Any place where cold air could potentially get in should be filled. This will help you keep your home at a constant warm temperature so that your pipes won’t get too cold. It’s also important to seal gaps and cracks in windows and doors. Your doors and windows are your home’s first line of defense against the cold, so you’ll want to make sure they’re keeping your home’s heat in.
Allow Faucets to Drip
As previously mentioned, frozen pipes can burst and cause extensive damage to your home and belongings. For this reason, take necessary steps to prevent burst pipes. One of the easiest things to do is to allow faucets to drip slowly on especially cold days. The dripping ensures water stays flowing through the pipes and reduces their chances of freezing. This may seem like a waste of water at first, but you can rest easy knowing your pipes won’t freeze and cause any problems.
Disconnect Outdoor Hoses
During the colder months, the water remaining in your outdoor hoses can freeze, causing a variety of problems. This frozen water can even cause damage to your faucets. To prevent this from happening, disconnect your outdoor pipes by turning off the valve leading to the outdoor spigot and loosening the hose. This will ensure water won’t run to exterior lines, where freezing is more likely to happen. Once you detach your hoses, store them inside to prevent damage from winter elements.
Repair Leaks Promptly
Water will naturally expand when it freezes, placing additional stress on your pipes and reducing the space between closed faucets and the ice. This additional stress can cause your pipes to burst and flood the surrounding area. To prevent this from happening, you’ll want to address leaks promptly before the start of winter. If an area with a leak freezes during the cold, the chances of the leak expanding will significantly increase. This can result in costly repairs and extensive damage.
Maintain a Consistent Indoor Temperature
Maintaining a consistent temperature inside your home during the winter is a great way to protect your plumbing. Fluctuating temperatures can put additional stress on your pipes, and extremely low temperatures can cause them to freeze. Always keep temperatures above 55 degrees inside during the winter.
Prevention Is Key
With a bit of help from a professional plumber, you can keep your kitchen plumbing safe and functional during New York winters. Prevention is key, so you should ideally take the steps listed above before any problems occur. This will keep you from having to make any costly repairs to your home’s plumbing later on. If you need help winterizing your home’s plumbing, Suburban Services Group in Ballston Lake is here to help. Contact us today to learn more.
