4 Tips to Prepare Your Home for Winter
Winter is a wonderful time. Warm hot chocolate, building snowmen, skiing and… preparing your plumbing for the Utah winter months. Damage caused by bursting pipes can cost you thousands of dollars and keep you from doing the activities that you enjoy during the winter. Follow these simple steps to prepare your plumbing for the chilly weather. Need help inspecting your plumbing? Call the professionals at Aloha Plumbing, Sewers, & Drains!
Inspect your pipes. Inspect the outside perimeter of your home for any leaks or broken pipes. If you have hoses outside, drain them and store them away. Indoors, check your faucets, showerheads and similar fixtures for leaks and cracks. Waiting to make these repairs until winter might be harder on you and your wallet!
Water heater. Generally, the recommended temperature for water heaters is set at 120 degrees to avoid scalding and to save energy. During the fall and winter months, 120 degrees may not be high enough, adjusting your water heater by 5 to 10 degrees might improve the hot water heater’s performance.
Note: Be cautious when adjusting the water temperature, read the manual or instructions if necessary before making an adjustment.
Clogged Drains. Inspecting your drains is a good practice to exercise year-round, but why is it more so important in the winter? Clogged drains can cause more damage to your home during the colder months. Avoid clogs by being attentive to what you put down your drain. For more tips and tricks for common drain clogging offenders click here.
Dripping faucets. Have you experienced frozen pipes in the past? If you are concerned with your pipes freezing this winter, leave your kitchen sink and bathroom sink faucet slightly open, just enough to consistently drip. By doing so, it takes pressure off the pipes and allows for the flow of water to prevent freezing.
By following these tips, you can spend more time enjoying warm cocoa and playing board games instead of worrying about your plumbing. If you need assistance examining your plumbing or need plumbing repair, contact your experts at Aloha Plumbing, Sewers, & Drains!