Protecting Your Pipes in Winter

Preventing your pipes from freezing and bursting during winter can save you from damaging leaks and costly water bills.

Here are some simple steps you can take to protect your pipes:

Insulate Exposed Pipes: Use wraps or tapes available at home improvement stores to insulate pipes, especially those in unheated spaces and outdoors.

‍Keep Cabinets Open: Allow warm air to circulate around plumbing under kitchen and bathroom sinks by keeping cabinet doors open.

‍Insulate Water Heaters: Consider adding or supplementing insulation to your water heater for extra protection.

‍Drain Irrigation Systems: Irrigation systems, especially sprinkler heads, can retain water even when inactive, so make sure to drain them thoroughly.

‍Disconnect Garden Hoses: Remove garden hoses from outdoor faucets (spigots), let them drain completely, and store them in a warm place.

‍Shut Off Outdoor Faucets: If an outdoor faucet isn’t frost-free, turn off the shut-off valve feeding it, open the faucet, and let it drain. Spigot covers can also help protect outdoor faucets from freezing.

‍Winterize Air Conditioning Units: Insulate exposed pipes and hoses on outdoor AC units after cutting the power, and consider using a cover to protect the unit.

‍Remove Window AC Units: Take out window air conditioning units and insulate the openings accordingly.

‍Clean Gutters: Ensure gutters are clear so that winter rains and melting snow can drain properly.

‍Check for Frozen Pipes: If you wake up to find no water in your home on a particularly icy morning, you may have a frozen pipe. It will likely thaw on its own when the sun comes out, but if you’re leaving the property for the day, ensure all faucets are turned off to prevent water damage once the line thaws.

‍Set Thermostat to 55 Degrees: When leaving your home or office for an extended period, keep the thermostat set to at least 55 degrees to prevent freezing, rather than turning the heat off entirely.

‍Know How to Shut Off the Main Water Line: In case a pipe bursts due to freezing or any other reason, always be prepared to shut off the main water line serving your home or property.