Winter has arrived, and that drives folks indoors to where it’s warm, cozy and out of the elements outside. However, just like everything else, temperature and winter take a toll on a home, including its pipes. Not paying attention to what’s going on and doing regular maintenance checks before and during winter could end up turning into nasty surprises with very expensive repair costs. Fortunately, there are a lot of people can do just with basic care and preparation that can avoid a lot of problems. Here’s a list of winter preparations for which it’s never too late to start.
Winterize the Water Spigots
Cold has its worst effect when the material exposed to it has no protection. For a few dollars, one can get insulation tape that can be easily wrapped around spigots and water handles that extend from the house into the open air. Doing so protects the pipe and metal from freezing and potentially causing a leak on a line with a direct feed from the incoming water supply. The same goes for any other pipe or line that is exposed and above ground feeding water into the house. Fixing a broken pipe in the deep cold with water spewing everywhere is one of the worst repair jobs to deal with.
Water Heater Checks and Monitoring
The water heater is obviously going to get a big workout during the winter just for hot water alone. The first step is to drain the tank. This involves cutting off the feed into the water heater, putting the flame down to pilot level, and then opening up the sink faucet to release the remaining pressure. When the sink no longer flows, then open the tank drain spigot with a hose out to the driveway. Both will get rid of the sediment sitting at the bottom of the tank.
Tanks also give off a lot of heat while working, which gets lost and wasted. By wrapping the tank with an insulation blanket, as well as the pipes extending, a percentage of heat stays in the tank and helps make the heating process easier. Less strain means a longer-lasting water heater and a reduction of potential tank failure when it matters most.
Small Leak Patrol
Every faucet, joint and connection in the home is a spot where a small leak can occur. In most cases, these are due to work seals and gaskets. Many times the leak can be stopped by a minor adjustment, tightening or replacement of the seal involved. Sometimes it may require replacing the end faucet or handle, so plan on a water shutoff while the work has to be done (i.e. don’t start before everyone has taken their morning hot shower). Usually, the work is as simple as unscrewing the connection and rewrapping the threads with plumber’s tape. Then reconnect everything.
Hunting for Problems
Many newer homes made from 2000 forward used plastic hose plumbing for the hot and cold feed lines (red and blue, respectively). In some of these cases, the plumbing hoses are getting old and are starting to have problems. Tell-tale sides tend to be noises of the hoses bumping against the walls, drip sounds and stains. If any of these issues are being seen, it’s critical to act and repair the hose before it becomes a full-blown disconnect with maximum flow from the municipal feed until shut off. While it will mean replumbing the line, the positive side of things is that plastic hoses can be installed fairly quick, just like electrical wiring. Don’t put the problem off, as even a slow leak can create staining and mold problems.
