With the winter in full swing, knowing how to prevent costly plumbing leaks can help you through the colder weather. If left untreated, these can lead to severe damage during cold winters. By taking some simple steps, you will not only save yourself from a major household disaster but also avoid having to call the plumber during the holiday season. 

3 Ways to Prevent a Costly Winter Plumbing Leak

1. Protect Your Pipes From the Harsh Cold of Winter

Before the first snow sets in, you can take some steps to protect your pipes from chilly weather that can cause damage to the plumbing inside your house. If any water sits in exposed pipes, it expands and freezes. The pressure from the ice causes it to extend throughout your household plumbing, cracking pipes. 

To prevent this, start by wrapping each of your exposed pipes in a thick layer of foam. It provides a layer of insulation that prevents cracking and freezing. You can have your trusted household plumber take care of the project on your behalf. It is designed with built-in slits that allow you to cut them to the desired length and slide it over your pipes.

2. Unhook All Hoses

A common mistake many homeowners make is to neglect to unhook their garden hoses from the outside wall. This easy trick will help to prevent major damage to the plumbing inside of your house. Similar to exposed pipes inside the home, if you leave a garden hose attached during winter, residual water will freeze, expand into your household plumbing, and cause your pipes to crack due to the pressure from the ice. Simply unhook the hose, drain any water out of it, and place a cap over the exposed spigot before the cold sets in. 

3. Schedule an Annual Checkup With Your Trusted Plumber

The best way to prevent any costly plumbing damage is to schedule a preventative checkup with your plumber. These annual visits will address any smaller issues, such as a tiny leak, that can impact your plumbing in a much more expensive way later on.

If leaks are not addressed, their occurrence will increase with the freezing and thawing of your household pipes. Your plumber will take steps to address any leaks, insulate exposed pipes, and identify the location of any frozen pipes that might cause trouble. 

Whether you’ve taken steps to protect your plumbing from needing pipe repairs or not, it helps to have a professional assess the overall health of your system before winter sets in. The team at King’s Plumbing have been providing excellent prevention and repair solutions to their West Chester, Ohio clientele. Whether you need an assessment, help with a clogged drain, or septic assistance, they’re here to help. Call a plumber today at (513) 683-9935 or visit their website for more information.