The colder temperatures of winter, combined with the formation of snow and ice, can force you to alter your daily routine. In addition to keeping yourself warm and safe, you’ll also have to make changes to how you care for your home. In particular, residential plumbing systems are at greater risk from the freezing temperatures. Below, learn what actions you can take to protect your pipes.

4 Ways to Winterize Your Residential Plumbing System

1. Insulate Exposed Pipes

Once the temperature drops to 20 degrees or colder, the pipes in exposed areas of your home will be at a greater risk of freezing. Your plumbing contractor should wrap pipes in insulation to protect them from these lower temperatures. While pipes in heated areas, such as your kitchen and bathrooms, may not face a higher risk of freezing, pipes in your basement and outside the home should be protected with thick layers of insulation.

2. Repair Cracks & Holes

The fall is the best time of year to fix damage to the exterior walls of your home. Take a tour of the outside of your home and look for cracks in the foundation and holes or crevices in the home’s outer walls. If you don’t take the time to make these repairs in the fall, the home will be more exposed to freezing temperatures, and the risk of a ruptured pipe will be increased. Filling these spaces with foam or caulking can help you avoid the damage that a residential plumbing contractor would have to repair later.

3. Never Turn Off the Heat 

Often, families shut off their HVAC system if they’re traveling for the holidays. This can lead to some unpleasant surprises that will force you to hire a plumber upon your return. Rather than risk frozen or burst pipes, keep your HVAC system on during your absence. You can set your thermostat a little lower, so you’ll be saving on your heating bills without risking damage to your plumbing. Keeping the system at 55 degrees should be warm enough to protect your pipes.

4. Flush Water From Unused Pipes

Before it gets too cold, you should flush the water out of the pipes that won’t be used in the winter. This primarily consists of shutting off the water valves that deliver water to fixtures outside of the home. Those exterior valves should be left open to allow any remaining water to drain from the pipes. This will keep those pipes from freezing in colder temperatures.

 

If you need plumbing services, turn to Pro-Fetick Plumbing in Lexington, KY. They are a family run business that provides high-quality service to new and older homes. They have more than 40 years of experience in serving the plumbing needs of customers throughout the Lexington, Versailles, Frankfort, Nicholasville, Richmond, and Winchester areas. To request service, you can fill out their form online or call them directly at (859) 263-5727.