Because winter is approaching, it is critical to take measures to ensure your home plumbing system can brave the cold and still work efficiently. Start by following these top four winter plumbing maintenance tips.
1. Shield Your Pipes From the Cold
To prepare your pipes for the winter, you must insulate them. You can insulate your pipes by wrapping them with insulation foam, insulation sleeves or heat tape. Plumbers recommend focusing on areas where the cold is most likely to penetrate, such as basements, crawl spaces and near exterior walls, to help prevent the water inside the pipes from freezing, which can lead to burst pipes. Have a plumber help you insulate your pipes, so you can ensure the job is done properly.
2. Keep a Watchful Eye on Your Water Heater
Your water heater works overtime during winter, as the drop in temperature means it must put in extra effort to provide you with hot water. To ensure your water heater keeps running smoothly, check the temperature setting. The temperature should typically be around 120 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature setting helps conserve energy and reduces the risk of your water heater overheating.
3. Schedule Drain Cleaning
During the winter, many families gather with their loved ones, and many people spend more time indoors, which means home plumbing systems will get much more use. To make certain your plumbing can handle the demands you place on it, schedule drain cleaning services. Drain cleaning will ensure that your plumbing functions optimally and that you do not have to deal with winter plumbing emergencies during the time your family and friends are gathering at your home.
4. Schedule a Plumbing Inspection
Schedule your annual plumbing inspection before winter comes to avoid the likelihood of winter plumbing emergencies. During an inspection, the plumber can spot small problems that have the potential to become something major and fix them.
Do not waste any time getting your home plumbing system ready for winter. At The Barton Boys in Spokane Valley, Washington, our friendly and experienced professionals can help you with all your winter plumbing maintenance tasks. We provide water heater services, plumbing repairs and sewer services for your home. Our friendly team also provides AC repair, AC installation and heating services for homes in the area. Contact The Barton Boys for more information today!
