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With the first snow of the season already on the ground, winter has come. Before the serious cold sets in for the season, don’t forget about your plumbing while getting the rest of your home ready for the frosty times. Winterizing your pipes will help protect them from freezing over during the frigid weather to come. Nature is unforgiving, so make sure to get it done!
Winterizing your plumbing is important because water expands when it freezes. This expansion in your pipes can cause them to burst, damaging the surrounding area with the immediate, powerful moment and the water damage that may set in.
Take a few minutes to follow our plumbing cold weather tips to winterize your pipes. When you are done with these steps, the only chores you’ll have to do are draining your pipes and water heater then filling your fixtures with anti-freeze.
1. Main Water Valve
First things first, turn off your main water valve. This shut off will include your water pump and water heater. This step will prevent your heating elements from getting damaged.
2. Open All Drains
Open all your drains and taps. When you skip this step, there is a vacuum inside your pipe that holds water. Water in the pipes could lead to cracked pipes. Don’t just open and shut these, make sure your taps and valves stay open until the spring.
3. Get Rid of the Extras
There might be extra water in your pipes. Use an air compressor to get rid of all the moisture.
4. Drain Your Water Heater
You will need to open the drain valve on your hot water heater tank so it can empty completely. Do this to avoid damaging your expensive unit.
5. Empty Your Toilets
Flush your toilets until the bowls and tanks are near empty. You can mix anti-freeze with the water to stop any potential freezing.
Choose a Professional Plumber to Winterize Your Home
When it comes to your plumbing, make sure you prepare now to stop bigger problems from happening later in the season. After you take these steps, have a trustworthy professional plumber check out your system to ensure your home is all set for the cold. Heaney Plumbing & Heating has been helping Detroit’s tri-county area with plumbing problems since 1969!
Give the team at Heaney Plumbing & Heating a call today at (586) 649-6300 to schedule maintenance or a repair.