When temperatures drop, it’s important to protect your home’s outdoor plumbing from freezing. Otherwise, if you fail to do it, it can lead to burst pipes and expensive repairs. Let’s see how you can protect your system efficiently.
Disconnect and Store Garden Hoses
First, remove all garden hoses off of outdoor faucets. If you have hoses attached, water could trap which could then freeze and cause burst pipes. Drain the hoses and store them indoors after disconnecting, to avoid damage.
Shut Off Outdoor Water Supply
Identify where the shut-off valve for each outdoor faucet is, which is usually in the basement or crawl space. Then, turn it off to stop water from running into exterior pipes. This step is crucial to make sure none of the water that’s left in the pipes freezes.
Drain Outdoor Faucets
Open all outside faucets to allow any remaining water to drain out with the water supply off. That’s to make sure there’s nothing in the pipes that could freeze and damage them.
Install Faucet Covers
When drained, cover each faucet with an insulated cover. These covers provide an extra layer of insulation against freezing temperatures. Make sure they fit snugly to be as effective as possible.
Insulate Exposed Pipes
Foam pipe insulation will protect all exterior pipes from the cold. This protects your plumbing system this winter and helps maintain the system’s integrity.
Consider Upgrading to Frost-Free Faucets
Frost-free faucets are something you should think about if your home gets really cold during winter. They are meant to prevent freezing and could be a long-term solution to winter plumbing issues.
Winterizing your outdoor plumbing and avoiding costly freeze damage can be done by following these steps. Remember, preventing a problem now will save you a world of headaches and expense in the future.
As your dedicated real estate professional, I am here to help you through everything you need to know about homeownership. I have worked with hundreds of buyers helping them pre-inspect, so you can make confident offers quickly. Rest assured, I am committed to protecting your interests and helping you secure your new home before another bidder does.
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If you are looking to buy or sell a home anywhere in the Northern Virginia area, give Marshall Wickramaratne a call or text at (703) 727-8649. You can also send him an email at marshallw@dilhome.com or visit his website: https://www.dilhome.com/
