With winter officially upon us just getting to and from the grocery store can be a little daunting. It is always more difficult to get around town during the winter weather – not to mention just getting motivated to get out of bed in the morning when the temperatures are so cold.
Another thing that is difficult to think about this time of year is protecting your plumbing system. With all of the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, winter break from school, and traveling to see friends and family – most people forget about their plumbing system altogether.
The trouble with that is … if you forget about your plumbing system it will remind you. And, the reminder will not be good – it will be costly and damaging.
Luckily, there are a few simple things that you can do to protect your plumbing system from any serious damage. The recommendations on this list are not everything you can do but, they are some of the ones that will make the most impact and they are each pretty easy to get done.
- Put a space heater in the areas of your home where there is plumbing but, the heat doesn’t quite reach. In older homes, depending on the heat source, there may be back bathrooms or utility rooms where the heat doesn’t reach. For those areas, a little electric space heater can be super helpful.
- Have your water heater serviced if it hasn’t been in the last year. If it’s been more than three years – you should have your water heater looked at sooner than later. Since your water heater gets used around the clock all year long – and is under greater pressure to perform during the winter – having it properly serviced is key
- Keep the cabinets in your kitchen and bathrooms open so that the heat from your heater or fireplace can warm the pipes easily. If you have an older home that is especially drafty, consider wrapping your plumbing in heat tape or insulating to provide an extra bit of protection.
If you are worried about your plumbing system freezing this winter, make sure to contact your local plumbing technician to discuss your concerns and some recommendations. Also, if your plumbing system – including your water heater – hasn’t been inspected lately, this is the perfect time to get that done before it wears out and there is major damage to your home.