With winter fast approaching, preparing your home is essential. One critical area that needs attention before temperatures drop is the outdoor plumbing to prevent freezing pipes, bursting systems, drain repair, and other trouble. Here are five steps for getting your plumbing ready for cold weather.

How to Prepare Outdoor Plumbing for Cold Weather

1. Remove Hoses

Make sure hoses are detached from outdoor faucets. Drain any water remaining in hoses before storing them for the season. Leaving a hose connected freezes the water left inside, which then causes ice to back up into pipes and inside your home. Cover the outside spigot, also called a hose bib, to prevent heat from seeping out and causing more damage from freezing.

2. Shut Off Water

Locate the shutoff valve for the outdoor water line and turn it off. Once the line is shut down, open the faucets outside to drain remaining water. Don’t forget to remove the bleeder cap on the inside of your home and drain any leftover water in there as well. After the water is released, close all outdoor faucets for the season.

3. Handle Sprinkler Systems

If your property features a sprinkler system set in the ground, turn off the line and call a professional to prepare the system for winter. Professionals use special equipment to clear out sprinkler lines and remove any remaining water to protect pipes. You should also shut off any timers for automated irrigation setups.

4. Seal Holes

Inspect your property for any openings or holes where cold air can freeze pipes in exterior walls. The smallest areas, even where cables or wires are set into your property, can let in winter frost that will affect piping. Before ice causes clogs and backups that lead to drain repair, close up any gaps.

5. Drain Water Features

Since water lines for pools and ponds tend to be deep underground, full drainage is not necessary, but you should remove some water to stop the components exposed to weather from icing over and cracking in low temperatures.

 

When you need help winterizing your plumbing in Connecticut and Rhode Island, call American Rooter. Located in Watertown, CT, their professional team has offered drain repair, septic tank cleaning, pipe lining, and other critical plumbing services for 38 years. The family-owned company can also assist with trouble such as flooded basement pumping and snaking services. Call the drain repair experts at (860) 274-7338 or visit them online for a full list of services.