Home Winterization - Day 2

Frozen pipes don’t happen by accident—they happen when warning signs are ignored.”

Today’s focus is plumbing: hose bibs, pipes, water heaters, and how to prevent one of the most expensive winter disasters homeowners face.

Plumbing System

All exposed water pipes in cold, unoccupied areas, such as the attic, garage, and crawlspace, should be insulated. Foam or fiberglass insulation can be purchased at most hardware stores. Insulation should cover the pipe completely.

*All exposed water pipes in cold, unoccupied area, such as attics, garages, and crawlspaces, should be insulated. Foam or fiberglass insulation can be purchased at most hardware stores. Insulation should cover the pipe completely.

*Plastic is more tolerant of cold expansion than copper or steel. Houses located in colder climates might benefit from the exclusive use of approved plastic plumbing.

*The water supply for exterior pipes should be shut off from inside the house and then drained.

*Sprinkler systems are particularly vulnerable to cracking due to cold-weather expansion. In addition to turning it off, it helps to purge the system of any remaining water with compressed air.

*Homeowners should be aware that much of the plumbing system travels through areas that are significantly colder than the rest of the house. Because it is impossible to monitor the temperature of every portion of the plumbing system, indoor air temperature should be kept high enough throughout the winter to keep pipes in any unheated places from freezing.

We hope you are enjoying our 5 Days of Home Winterization Series. If you would like more information feel free to email us at info@evis1.com or call us 256-750-0259.