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If you own a vacation home or cabin in an area where temperatures drop significantly during the winter, you will need to winterize the plumbing before you head home at the end of the warm-weather season. Otherwise, frozen pipes can cause extensive water damage if they burst, and if nobody is living in the home at that time, you may not find out about the problem for months. Bernie Buchner, Inc., a plumbing services company in La Crosse, Wisconsin, reminds residents that it’s time to winterize their summer homes or cabins.

Here are some tips to help you prepare for the cold temperatures ahead:

  • Shut off the Water: Turn off your water meter or ask your plumbing service company to turn it off for you when you leave for the season.
  • plumbing servicesDrain the Pipes: Turn on the faucets and open all water valves throughout your home to drain water from the pipes. Once the water has completely drained, close the main turn-off valve if you have one, but leave the faucets turned on. Pipes freeze and burst from the water inside them, and you can stop that from happening by removing all water flow from inside them.
  • Disconnect Household Appliances: Any household appliance that connects to a waterline needs to be disconnected and drained. Your plumbing company will disconnect and drain the water from your dishwasher’s supply and drain line, turn off your water heater, and drain the tank. They can also disconnect and drain the icemaker waterline and clothes washing machine hose. Be sure to also drain water from sink sprayers and showerhead hoses.
  • Insulate Your Pipes: Contact a plumbing services company to insulate your outside pipes and any pipes in unheated areas by wrapping them with polyurethane or fiberglass insulation. The plumber will also remove back-flow prevention devices from your exterior spigots and then spray foam insulation into any open gaps.
  • Winterize Toilet Tanks: After flushing your toilets, use old towels or rags to remove any remaining water from the tanks and toilet bowls. Pour a cup of antifreeze in the overflow tube of the toilet tanks and another cup into the bowls. Your plumber can winterize the bathrooms and all the plumbing and pipes throughout your vacation home to give you peace of mind while you are away.

Whether you need help winterizing your vacation home for the season or need a repair or other plumbing services, turn to the honest, reliable experts at Bernie Buchner, Inc. Call them today at (608) 784-9000 for a free estimate, or visit them online to learn more about their company and the services they offer.

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