Before we know it, winter will be here and it will officially be time to bundle up in your coats and enjoy a cup of hot cocoa by the fireplace at night. While winter brings fun activities like building snowmen, decorating for the holidays, and deciding on your New Year’s resolutions, there are also a number of things that need to be taken care of around the house.
If your house is the place for family gatherings throughout winter, you’ll want to make sure your home’s plumbing system is working properly to ensure a happy household. So, before you head outside with the kids to help them build their snowman in your front yard, cross these plumbing tasks off your list to avoid any winter plumbing nightmares.
Insulate Your Pipes
Just like you bundle up in warm clothes as the weather gets colder, you should do the same for your pipes! Insulating your pipes before the cold weather hits is the best way to prevent your pipes from freezing and ultimately bursting.
Disconnect Outdoor Hoses
While outdoor hoses and sprinklers are very useful in the summer, there’s really no need for them in the winter. A hose left outside in the winter with water in it will freeze and if it’s still connected to the faucet, the ice will make its way into your home’s pipes. We all know what happens when a pipe freezes, so just make sure you disconnect all of your outdoor hoses and store them in a dry place during the winter.
Turn off Outdoor Faucets
Once you’ve disconnected your outdoor hoses from the faucets, turn off the outdoor faucets. To drain any leftover water, open the faucet and bleeder cap on the shutoff valve. Making sure there is no leftover water is important as it can still cause the pipe to freeze.
Check for Leaks
Throughout summer and fall, you might have been putting off some indoor plumbing issues because of how much time you spent outside, such as a dripping faucet or minor leak. No matter how big or small the leak is, it can cause a lot of damage down the line, not to mention make your water bill skyrocket. When you have the time, go around your house and check your fixtures and pipes for any noticeable leaks. If you happen to see a leak, even if you think it’s no big deal, give us a call at (503) 342-7782 for our leak repair services. Taking care of a leak at the first sign of one will save you the trouble and money throughout winter.
Inspect your Water Heater
Water heaters aren’t something many homeowners keep top-of-mind, that is until something goes wrong. Is there anything worse than the thought of taking a cold shower in the middle of winter because your water heater isn’t working? A malfunctioning water heater prevents you from daily tasks like taking a shower, doing the dishes, and washing your clothes. Scheduling a water heater maintenance appointment with us is a great way to make sure there are no issues with your water heater. We will check your unit to make sure everything looks good and will be able to catch any problems just in time to repair them before the temperatures drop.
DoneRite Plumbing & Drain, LLC always wants to make sure you’re comfortable in your home all year long. From leak detection to water heater repair, we’re your go-to team for all-things plumbing. If you have any questions about how to prepare your plumbing for the season or need a leak fixed, give us a call at (503) 342-7782 or fill out our online contact form to get started today!