Wisconsin winters can be a magical time of year but they can also be rough, especially on our plumbing. Whether you are closing your cabin up north for the winter or want to ensure your home plumbing is safe, Watters Plumbing has a few tips and tricks to help prepare plumbing for the cold months ahead.
Create a Plan For Winterization
Preparing your plumbing for winter is a process so you should create a list of action items so you don’t miss any steps along the way. This should include a checklist of items like parts for your plumbing you may need as well.
Your List to Help Winterize Your Indoor Plumbing:
- Make sure your pipes are insulated by closing crawl space vents and stuffing insulation over the openings.
- Insulate your pipes that run through exterior walls by wrapping them in foam insulation with a layer of electrical tape underneath.
- Try to keep your garage closed to maintain maximum heat, especially when there is a bathroom or laundry room located above or next to it.
- If you do leave home, never fully turn off the heat. Always keep the temperature set to 55 degrees.
- If there’s a cold snap in the forecast, keep the water moving in your pipes as much as possible.
- To help warm air circulate to your pipes, open your cabinet doors beneath the kitchen and bathroom sinks.
How to Prevent Your Pipes From Freezing Outside
- To keep your water lines from freezing, drain them by turning off the water supply to outdoor faucets then draining them by opening the taps.
- Insulated your outdoor faucets to protect them from the cold weather
- Remove all your exterior hoses. This will stop any formation of ice which can lead up to a build-up of pressure.
Did Your Pipes Freeze?
If you believe you were too late to winterize your plumbing and your pipes freeze, contact Watters Plumbing. Even if they didn’t burst, when water expands in your pipes, it can cause damage. We can help get your plumbing back into working order. Give us a call at 920-204-7517 or fill out our contact form.