As winter arrives, homeowners should begin winterizing their plumbing system. Frozen water and piping can create problems, which is why you need specific preparations to combat freezing temperatures. Below are tips, such as adding insulation, so your home makes it through the season in one piece.

How to Get Your Plumbing Ready for Winter

1. Insulate

To prevent thermal transfer, insulate the attic and exterior walls. This layer holds warm air from your HVAC system inside the house and acts as a blanket around your piping. You can also add pipe wraps to exterior plumbing devices like pool pumps, where it’s difficult to add insulation. Don’t forget about basement and crawl space insulation. When these pipes burst, they can go unnoticed for some time and cause severe water damage.

2. Seal Around Pipes

Carefully inspect exposed interior piping to ensure that air drafts aren’t blowing through cracks around or near them. Common areas include the garage, basement, and attic. If you notice freezing air seeping in, seal these areas to prevent thermal transfer and keep insects out. These are also popular areas to add new insulation—a feature that may also lower utility bills by preventing heat loss.

3. Trickle

When temperatures are predicted to drop below freezing, leave your faucets on a light drip. When stagnant water freezes and expands in the piping, it can eventually rupture the plumbing. A small trickle keeps water moving and helps avoid this issue. Keep the temperature around suspect piping at or above 55 degrees.

If you’re ready to add insulation to your home, Energy Shield Spray Foam is the contractor for the job. They provide new installations and upgrades for customers throughout Eminence, KY. They utilize spray-foam insulation for optimal coverage and can address all areas, including attics, basements, and crawlspaces. Call (502) 220-0231 to speak with a representative, and visit their website to learn more about their services.