Are Your Plumbing Pipes Ready For Winter?

No matter where you live and how severe your winters are, it’s always a good idea to be proactive in making sure you plumbing pipes are ready. Here in League City, TX, winters are generally fairly mild compared to the rest of the country. However, there are still a few things you can do to make sure your plumbing pipes are ready for the cooler months ahead.

1. Insulate Your Pipes

Because cold winter’s are very common here in this part of the country, you’ve likely never thought much about insulating your pipes. However, no matter the climate, insulating your pipes is an easy way to help prevent freezing during those especially colder spells. You should insulate pipes in all unheated areas of the home, such as your attic, garage, basement and crawlspace. Not only does insulating your pipes prevent freezing, but it can also help keep your hot water hot much longer.

2. Shut Off Outdoor Faucets

Are you starting to store away patio furniture and garden tools for the rest of the year? While you’re at it, don’t forget to also shut off all outdoor faucets. First, let your outdoor faucets drain out any excess water, turn it off at the shutoff valve, and remove all connected hoses. This is one of the best ways you can help prevent damage to your water lines this winter. While shutting off outdoor faucets, don’t forget to also drain garden hoses and cover the hose bibs.

3. Prepare For Vacation

Planning on heading out of town for the winter? Make sure you don’t come back to a plumbing nightmare! Some things you can do to prepare for your upcoming vacation include: check for pipe leaks around your home, shut off the main water valve if you plan to be away for a while, and don’t turn off your thermostat completely. If you turn off your thermostat entirely, you could risk coming home to frozen pipes if your home gets cold enough. Another idea is to have a neighbor check in on your house periodically.

4. Inspect Your Furnace

Did you know that your furnace plays an important role in preparing your plumbing pipes for winter? In the event that your furnace fails and you have no heat in your home, your pipes could potentially freeze and burst if the temperature inside gets cool enough. The best way to prevent any breakdowns with your furnace this winter is to have it inspected by a professional annually.