When you live in a cold climate like ours in Central Wisconsin, there’s always a risk one or more of your pipes will freeze when outdoor temperatures drop. And if the water inside any of your pipes does freeze, it can expand to the point of bursting, which could leave you with a significant plumbing leak, serious water damage, and pricey water bills.
Luckily, it’s possible to prevent frozen and burst pipes with just a few simple actions. Read on to learn what you can do to protect your plumbing system this winter.
Fix Noticeable Plumbing Leaks Immediately
Do you have any slow plumbing leaks in your home? Perhaps a damaged pipe that lets out a few tiny drips every now and again? Or maybe you have a pipe that you patched up temporarily and inadvertently forgot about? If so, don’t let that damage sit!
Damaged pipes are far more vulnerable to complete breakage when they’re pressurized by frozen water. If you have any plumbing damage whatsoever, call a plumber to schedule professional pipe repairs as soon as you can.
Insulate Exposed Pipes
After you’ve taken care of any damaged pipes you know about, it’s time to ensure all of your pipes have plenty of insulation so they don’t freeze. How do you know which pipes need more insulation? Look for exposed plumbing in your attic and your basement or crawlspace as these areas typically contain uninsulated pipes.
You can wrap exposed piping in foam insulation and secure it with duct tape or zip ties. Or, if you want to get a little fancier, you can opt for specialty pipe insulation, which you can pick up at your local home improvement store.
Disconnect Outdoor Hoses and Shut Down Spigots
Before outdoor temperatures really drop, make sure you drain all of your garden hoses and disconnect them from your outdoor water spigots. Just as water can freeze within your indoor pipes, it can also freeze inside outdoor water hoses since they’re constantly exposed to freezing temperatures throughout winter.
If there’s any water left near the spigot opening or inside the spigot plumbing, that water can expand, damage your plumbing, and may cause a serious pipe leak.
Find Your Water Main
Not sure where your main water shutoff valve is located? Now is the time to find it because that’s the valve that will prevent additional water from flowing into your home in the event you do suffer a burst pipe.
Generally, water mains are located along the perimeter of homes since that’s where the water supply first enters the house. Look in your basement, crawlspace, and along the exterior of your house for a large, turnable valve, and if you can’t find it, contact a plumber who can help.
Keep Cabinet Doors Open
Opening up cabinets that contain exposed pipes is one of the simplest and most effective things you can do to prevent frozen plumbing and pipe leaks. Simply keep the cabinet doors beneath your kitchen and bathroom sinks open throughout the night to allow warm air to circulate around the pipes when nighttime temperatures drop.
Need Leaky Pipe Repair Near Wisconsin Rapids? Contact Steve’s Plumbing & Heating
Worried your pipes might be at risk for leaks this winter? Let our team at Steve’s Plumbing & Heating help you make sure your plumbing system is properly protected from the cold. For more than 25 years, we’ve specialized in comprehensive plumbing repair and maintenance services for homeowners throughout Stevens Point, Wisconsin Rapids, Wausau, and Marshfield. Our plumbers are fully licensed and insured, and your total satisfaction is our number one priority.
To schedule a service appointment or learn more about how we can help you, call us today at 715-421-1800 or fill out our contact form to request a service estimate.