Winter weather requires special home care, especially when it comes to your plumbing system. Since water expands when frozen, it can cause a lot of headaches and expensive repairs if not prepared for. Here are some of the most important tasks that should be part of your plumbing checkup before the cold rolls in:
Inspect outdoor faucets for leaks. Another caveat of the cold weather is that your plumbing piping will shrink a significant amount: it’s what most materials do. This makes the water pressure greater during the winter. If you have a leak and high water pressure, you could be in for a massive flooding problem. Look for faucets that are dripping or leaking and fix them.
Put the hoses away. Garden hoses aren’t too useful in the winter. If any water is left inside, it can freeze and damage the hose, the faucet it’s connected to as well as the pipes. Store the hoses in the basement or the garage.
Insulate outdoor piping. Not only will insulating any outdoor plumbing save you money by reducing heat loss, but it will prevent the piping from freezing and causing problems.
Flush your water heater. Over time sediment is likely to build up on the bottom of a storage tank water heater. It can reduce efficiency and speed up corrosion. Draining your water heater and flushing it before the busy winter season is a good idea.
Clean your gutters and downspouts. While your gutters may not seem like a part of your plumbing system, they are very important for water drainage. If they are clogged, water from rain or snow can accumulate and freeze, causing damage to your gutters and downspouts. You may also be at risk for ice dams, which can cause expensive damage to your roof.
If you are interested in a professional plumbing checkup for your Broken Arrow home this fall, contact Air Assurance.Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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