Before it gets cold, the second best time to protect them is now. Last month's weather events reminded us that though it's impossible to eliminate the risks inherent in home ownership, we can share tools and information to help minimize them. There are many ways to prepare your home plumbing for winter weather. We've lumped them into two categories.
Responsive preparations: the stuff you can do when you hear a forecast for temperatures at or below freezing
Protect external faucets: Here is a fantastic video that serves as a primer on the two types of exterior faucets and shares instructions on preparing each for winter weather.
Close off foundation vents and fill vent openings with wood or foam blocks.
Do not turn off your furnace if you'll be away from home for multiple days. Leave it on a low setting instead; this might not keep things warm enough to prevent your pipes from freezing, but it could help. If you're away when the weather shifts, call a neighbor or a friend to go over and turn the furnace on.
Open cabinets under sinks to allow free flow of the heat circulating in your house around the pipes.
Learn where your property's main water shutoff is if you don't already know.
Adaptive preparations: those you consider as you perform routine seasonal maintenance or renovate your property
Insulate pipes that run through crawlspaces or along an outside wall without insulation.
Replace galvanized steel or copper pipes with PEX or plastic for greater resilience.
Teach everyone in your household where the main water shutoff is. This article will help you get started if you need to locate yours. This guide has images of common shutoff valve types.
Drain your sprinkler or other irrigation systems at the end of the fall season. If your system has a backflow valve, it needs a yearly inspection. We recommend Green Leaf Irrigation and Landscaping.
In the event of a water emergency, the Regional Water Providers Consortium has this solid guide for what to do if a pipe bursts in or around your home.
We know that home maintenance can be overwhelming, but over the years, we have also seen how much it pays off for our clients in both the short and long run. If you ever have questions about home maintenance, please reach out! We're here to help!