Winter Plumbing Tips

There are a number of things you have to do every fall to prepare for the winter. These range from trimming your yard to making sure your windows are insulated. These little tasks add up quickly, and it’s easy to overlook one of the most important areas of your house: your plumbing.

Your plumbing is the area of your household that’s most prone to winter damage. Freezing pipes are no joke, and this is something you’ll need to take steps to avoid. Even if you don’t live in an especially cold area, it only takes one freeze to make a mess of your home and lead to expensive damages. Is your home winterized and ready for anything? Check with this guide below and take advantage of our winter plumbing tips so you can learn enter this season with confidence, especially if you plan to leave your home.

Before You Leave

If you’re leaving your home for any period of time during the winter months, you need to prepare it. Not taking these winter plumbing tips seriously will lead to expensive problems. Follow these steps below before you lock up for the winter, even if you’re only gone for a week or so.

Shut off the main water in your house. This means turning off the water pump and the heater
Open your drain valves and taps in every room of the house. Closed taps create a type of vacuum holding water inside, and that’s not good if temperatures are dropping.
Blow excess water from your pipes with an air compressor.
Open the valve of your hot water tank so it can empty. You might need to connect a garden hose if your tank doesn’t have a drain.
Flush the toilets in your house to remove as much water as possible from the toilet bowl and the tank. You can also add antifreeze for extra protection. Frozen water can crack the bowl of your toilet!
Finally, check your sinks and drains for any traps. These are common in the tub, for example, and this can also lead to cracking if you don’t remove them. If you can’t remove the trap, use antifreeze to prevent water from cracking the traps.

These are the most essential steps to follow to prevent any problems with your home. However, if you have more time, don’t stop your efforts here. There are many things you can do to keep your home safer during the winter months, even when you’re in your home.

Protective Steps

Taking steps throughout the year is the best way to avoid a problem. Throughout the winter, make sure you’re actively checking for any signs of freezing or damage caused by the cold. When in doubt, call an expert to have a look around your plumbing to see if there is anything else you need to do. Here are more protective steps to keep your home plumbing warm this winter from a qualified plumber in Sydney.

Insulation – Insulate your pipes with insulation sleeves. You can purchase these at any home improvement store, and they’re easy to apply on your own. Just make sure there are no gaps in the insulation which can let in cold air.

Heating – If possible, keep your home a relatively warm temperature at all times to avoid cold pipes.

Dropping Faucet – Regularly allow your faucets to drip so water moves freely. This is especially important in rooms you don’t use often like a guest bathroom.

Exterior – Check the exterior of your property to make sure all cracks are sealed. Having cracks in your walls, no matter how small, can lead to cold air entering your home and creating a problem.

Heat Tape – Heat tape is an easy way to keep pipes from freezing. This is a common method to prevent your pipes from freezing but make sure you follow all of the guidelines.

As you can see, preparing your home for the winter involves a lot of manpower. If you use the winter plumbing tips above, make them a habit so you know what to do every year when winter comes around. If you’re leaving your home for any period of time, don’t leave it as is. Take these steps seriously to prevent frozen pipes or worse. It only takes one cold night to create a lot of damage!