The winter is coming, and that means it’s time to start preparing your home’s plumbing system for the cold weather! If you live in North Carolina, you know that winter can be unpredictable. One day it might be in the 50s, and overnight it could dip into the low 20s. That’s why it’s important to winterize your plumbing to make sure your pipes don’t freeze. In this blog post, we will discuss how to winterize your home’s plumbing so you can stay warm all winter long!
Do I Need to Winterize My Plumbing in North Carolina?
While our weather might not get as cold as other parts of the country, winterizing your home’s plumbing is still highly recommended. Pipes that are exposed to cold air can freeze and burst, leading to costly water damage repairs. To avoid this, it’s important to winterize your pipes so they stay warm even in freezing temperatures.
How Do I Winterize My Plumbing?
If you plan on staying in your home during winter, winterizing your plumbing is easy and can be done in a few steps:
1. Insulate pipes in unprotected areas
Pipes located in areas of your home that are more susceptible to temperature changes, such as the garage, attic, and crawl space typically have less protection. This makes them more likely to freeze. By wrapping your pipes in tubular foam insulation or fiberglass pipe wrap, you can provide your pipes with a “buffer” against the cold. By insulating your pipes, you not only improve their lifespan but also REDUCE the heat loss that often occurs as hot water travels from your heater to your faucets. Both foam pipe insulation and fiberglass pipe wrap can be purchased at most hardware stores. Heat tape can also be used to provide warmth to exposed pipes.
2. Drain your sprinklers
Eliminating any standing water from your sprinkler system prior to extremely cold temperatures will help prevent its pipes from rupturing. If your system doesn’t have an automatic way to drain it, don’t worry- you can still do it by draining it manually or having someone blow the water out.
3. Turn off the outdoor water supply
If you have outdoor faucets and they are still receiving water during a deep freeze, this could lead to significant issues. Be sure to locate the valve that controls the water flow to your outdoor taps, and double-check that it is closed before winter sets in. Before beginning this project, release the water still within the pipes by opening all outdoor faucets until no liquid flows. Don’t forget to remove any hoses first!
4. Cover outdoor taps with faucet socks or faucet covers
A faucet sock is a simple device made of a neoprene cover that you can place over your outdoor faucet. This will provide an extra layer of protection for the pipes, and prevent winter temperatures from reaching them by providing insulation. Faucet covers work similarly, but are made from an insulated material that reflects heat.
5. Keep your pipes warm on freezing days and nights
If you want to keep your pipes from freezing in cold weather, follow these steps:
- Maintain your heater at 55 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
- Make sure to check all your doors and windows on exterior walls, including the garage door, are shut tightly.
- Run your faucets at a light trickle. This does not keep the water in the pipes warm, but it prevents pipe bursts by lessening pressure buildup.
Protect Your Plumbing Pipes From Cold Air: Follow These Tips to Winterize Plumbing
By following these plumbing winterization tips, you’ll be able to enjoy winter in North Carolina without any plumbing headaches. Just remember to take these steps before winter officially arrives on December 21, so you don’t have to worry about frozen pipes or burst pipes. If you do run into issues with frozen pipes, contact Bodenheimer Plumbing Services to help you out. Our experienced team of professionals is here to repair winter plumbing damage and keep your home’s pipes running smoothly year-round!
