Cold weather is on its way in Central Wisconsin, which means now is the time to start preparing your home for freezing weather. One of the most important things you’ll need to do to prepare your home properly is to get your plumbing system ready to handle the freezing cold. The experts at Steve’s Plumbing & Heating share a few helpful tips for preparing your pipes below.
1. Insulate Exposed Pipes
Exposed pipes in your garage, attic, basement, or crawlspace are subjected to freezing temperatures without proper insulation. To prevent water from freezing inside those pipes, you’ll need to apply insulating material on all sections of exposed piping.
If it gets super cold where you live, you should consider installing heat cable in addition to your insulation. Often insulation alone doesn’t provide enough heat retention during particularly long, cold periods. If you’re unsure how to install pipe insulation or heating cables, contact a plumber for help.
2. Shut Down Outdoor Spigots and Disconnect Hoses
Before freezing weather hits, you must turn off your outdoor water spigots and disconnect and drain any attached hoses. First, you’ll need to let the bleeder cap on each spigot drain fully; otherwise, water can still freeze inside the pipe and crack it.
After you’ve shut off your spigots and put your hoses in storage, it’s also a good idea to install covers over the top of your spigots. Insulated covers help prevent heat loss where the pipe meets the exterior wall, providing an extra layer of protection against frozen pipes.
3. Perform an Exterior Inspection
Perform a quick walkaround of your house to check for signs of damage that may allow an excessive amount of freezing air inside your house. Here’s what you should look for:
● Cracks in your siding
● Cracks in your foundation
● Improperly sealed windows and doors
● Roof damage
● Signs of moisture in your attic
If you observe signs of exterior damage, be sure to have the affected areas repaired before the worst of the cold weather season hits. If you’re in a pinch, you can use caulking or spray foam insulation as temporary solutions.
4. Check and Seal Rim Joists
The area where your foundation meets your floor joists is called a rim joist, and it can allow plenty of freezing air inside if it’s not properly sealed. So take a few minutes to examine your house for open or inadequately sealed rim joists.
You can use expandable, spray foam insulation to seal these areas, and while you're at it, you should also seal around pipes, wires, and cables that protrude from the wall. You may need to have a makeup air pipe for your furnace’s combustion air after you fully seal everything, but you’ll need to call a furnace repair specialist to find out for sure.
5. Shut Off Your Water Main If You Leave Town
Whether you’re leaving town for just a few days or you’re heading to warmer country for the entire winter, always shut off your water main before you go. If you forget to turn off the valve and any of your pipes freeze, the water within them can expand to the point that it causes the pipe to crack. The result? Water everywhere in the affected room.
To avoid extensive household water damage, make sure you double-check your water main before you take off. It’s also a good idea to schedule a pipe inspection with a plumber before you head out on an extended winter leave. That way, you can feel confident your pipes are in good condition and properly prepared to handle cold weather.
Steve’s Plumbing & Heating: Your Central Wisconsin Source for Quality Plumbing Services
If you need help inspecting and preparing your plumbing system for winter, get in touch with our team at Steve’s Plumbing & Heating. With over 85 years of combined experience and our 100% satisfaction guarantee, you can trust in the quality of our workmanship. To schedule a service appointment or request a quote, give our Wisconsin Rapids office a call today at 715-421-1800 or contact us online.