What You Need to Know About Winterizing Your Plumbing

The winter season will be here before you know it, and once temperatures drop, your plumbing system can be susceptible to freezing. Frozen water pipes often lead to costly, stressful and unnecessary damage.

Fortunately, it’s easier than you might think to shield your home from potential damage caused by frozen pipes. Oak Plumbing, your trusted plumbing professional and tankless water heater installer, discusses everything you need to know about winterizing your plumbing system.

Red Flags to Watch Out For

Many homes suffer damage from harsh winter weather, whether or not they’ve been winterized. While this may be so, winterizing will help stop preventable damage, such as gas leaks and broken pipes. Before learning the things you need to do to protect your home from such problems, it’s best to first be familiar with the signs that indicate you may have frozen pipes.

When you turn on the faucet and no water comes out, this could be a sign that your pipes are in danger. Consequently, your system may also have a leak somewhere if you hear water running despite the water being turned off. An immediate plumbing inspection is necessary once you notice these warning signs.

Tips on Winterizing Your Home

Here are some basic winterizing tips for your home’s plumbing system:

• Close crawl space vents and install insulation over the openings to keep your pipes well insulated. Even the tiniest of holes can allow cold air to blow in; that’s why it’s important to fill in all the gaps.

• Disconnect and store your garden hoses properly. If you have a separate shut-off for outdoor faucets, be sure to turn them off and drain all the water from those faucets.

• A damaged sprinkler pipe can cause extensive damage to your plumbing system, which is why these pipes should also be turned off and drained. 

• Never turn off the heat when you leave home during the winter. A temperature of at least 55 degrees F is necessary to keep your indoors warm, safe and cozy.

Whether you need help preventing frozen pipes or performing a gas leak repair, Oak Plumbing can help. Call us at (707) 200-7594 or fill out our contact form, and we’ll be ready to assist you. We serve customers in Benicia, Sacramento, Vacaville, and other nearby CA communities.

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