With winter weather right around the corner, it’s a great time to think about how to protect your property from seasonal damage. One of the most important things to do during the fall is to winterize outdoor faucets and other plumbing features. However, lots of property owners don’t know how to effectively winterize their outdoor faucets. Keep reading for some winterization tips from a plumber in Columbus, IN.
Why winterization is important
Many property owners are unsure about why winterization is so important. During the winter months, it’s common for temperatures to dip well below freezing, and that can cause a lot of problems for plumbing systems. One of the biggest concerns for property owners when it comes to cold weather and their plumbing systems is trapped water freezing. When water inside pipes and faucets freezes, it expands and can put excessive strain on plumbing fixtures, leading to pipes cracking and, in some cases, bursting.
Winterization is a very important task for property owners to complete before winter rolls around, and it doesn’t have to be particularly time consuming. Understanding how to winterize outdoor faucets and plumbing fixtures will give you the knowledge you need to protect your property from damage during the winter months. Here are some tips from a plumber in Columbus, IN to prepare your outdoor faucets and other plumbing fixtures from damage when temperatures start to dip below freezing:
- Shut off the water supply: The first step in winterizing your outdoor faucets is to shut off the water supply to outdoor fixtures. Shutting off the water supply makes it possible to drain outdoor pipes, hoses and plumbing fixtures to get rid of any water that could freeze and damage your plumbing system during the winter months.
- Drain water: After shutting off the water supply, it’s time to drain the plumbing system completely to get rid of any leftover water that could be trapped in pipes, faucets or hoses. Some faucets have drainage ports that can be used to release all the water from the faucet. If you have hoses connected to outdoor faucets, remove any spray nozzles and allow the hose to drain. To protect your hoses from damage, coil them up and store them in a dry, sheltered place during the winter months.
- Use insulation: For extra protection of your outdoor plumbing fixtures and pipes, use foam insulation to guard against freezing temperatures during the winter months. Tape insulation securely around any pipes or faucets that are exposed to the elements. This will protect pipes against freezing and offer an extra layer of protection in case you aren’t able to thoroughly drain your faucets and pipes before the wintertime.
Schedule plumbing services in Columbus, IN
For professional help with winterization of outdoor faucets or any other plumbing services in Columbus, IN, reach out to Barr Plumbing Service, Inc. We offer comprehensive plumbing services, including repairs, maintenance and plumbing for remodeling projects. Whether you need help preparing your plumbing system for the winter months or you need basic repairs or maintenance, our team has the expertise necessary to assist you. Give us a call today to get started with a consultation and quote.