It may seem soon to be already thinking about snowflakes and freezing temperatures, but unfortunately, the winter months always tend to sneak up on us quicker than we expect. The sooner you prepare your plumbing for the harsh weather, the more at ease you’ll feel heading into the cooler months. Dealing with a plumbing problem in the middle of winter is never ideal, especially if it’s something as severe as a burst pipe, which can cause extreme damage to your home costing you thousands of dollars. Taking the necessary preventative measures now can save you big in the long run! Check out our tips below to start preparing your plumbing now.
Winterize Faucets
Since your outdoor faucets are directly exposed to the weather, it’s important to make sure they’re shut off and disconnected before winter. Hoses should be drained, and the water to your faucets should be turned off before the first freeze. If you leave your hoses out for the winter, it may not only damage the outside faucet but also cause the pipe to rupture, which you won’t know until you go to turn it on next spring.
Tune-up Water Heater
Your water heater must work sufficiently harder in the winter to heat up the freezing cold water. To make sure your water heater is ready for the cold, it’s recommended to have a tune-up in the fall. During a tune-up, a technician will flush all the water out of the system, to get rid of any sediment and dirt that has built up over time. If this sediment doesn’t get cleaned out, your water heater has to work harder, using even more energy. For this reason alone, getting an annual tune-up for your water heater is always worth it.
Service Furnace
Having your furnace inspected should also be on the top of your list. If your furnace stops working in the middle of winter, this can quickly lead to frozen pipes and much worse damage. When a technician comes to inspect your furnace, they can also provide any necessary maintenance or repairs to help it run more efficiently.
Exposed Pipes
Pipes that are in unheated areas of your home, such as a basement, should be covered by some sort of insulation or foam sleeves to keep them from freezing. This is one of the most common causes of burst pipes in the winter. Protect yourself and your home by taking the simple step of covering your pipes.
Contact Al Terry Plumbing, Heating & Cooling
When you’re ready to start winterizing your plumbing system, give the professionals at Al Terry a call for water heater tune-ups, and furnace inspections in New Hampshire. Fill out an online form to schedule an appointment or give us a call at 603-485-4205.
