In the dead of winter, plumbing can be a real drag. You’re bundled up in your favorite sweaters and scarves, but the pipes under your sink are freezing and bursting. It happens to the best of us—but it doesn’t have to!
In this article, Casco Plumbing And Well Pump Service have compiled a handy checklist of everything you need to do before winter hits so that you can ensure your plumbing stays in tip-top shape!
Let’s explore.
Why is it important to prepare plumbing system before winter?
It’s cold out there, and we all know what that means: it’s time to start preparing for winter!
Whether you’re a homeowner or a renter, you probably have some work to do to make sure your plumbing systems are ready for the long winter ahead. Here are 5 reasons why preparing your checklist for plumbing maintenance for the winter season is important.
1. You want your pipes to be safe from freezing.
2. You don’t want any water damage due to burst pipes or other problems with freezing and bursting pipes.
3. You don’t want to end up with a large bill from an emergency plumber if something goes wrong because you didn’t prepare your system properly for winter weather conditions!
4. Your pipes could freeze if they aren’t properly insulated or heat-treated by professionals who know what they’re doing (like us!).
5. Finally…you don’t want your home smelling like a wet dog all winter!
22 Winter Plumbing Maintenance Tips for Homeowners
Winter is coming, and if you’re like most of us, it’s time to start thinking about some of the more unpleasant things that go along with it.
That’s right: Plumbing.
If you have a house or apartment, chances are good that you’ll have to deal with your plumbing at some point during the winter. And if you don’t? Well, then, good for you! For the rest of us, though—we’ve got work to do.
So let’s get your plumbing ready for winter with Casco Plumbing And Well Pump Service’s handy checklist.
Here’s a checklist of 22 winter plumbing maintenance tips to consider:
Insulate pipes.
If there’s one thing we know about winter, it’s that it gets cold. And if there’s another thing we know about winter, it’s that cold air likes to find its way into our homes through any crack or opening it can find. Your pipes are no exception! So make sure to insulate them by wrapping them in foam pipe insulation or covering them with heat tape before the first snowfall to stay warm all winter.
Drain outdoor faucets.
When preparing for a long winter plumbing preventive maintenance checklist ahead of time, drain outdoor faucets before they freeze over completely. You don’t want a burst pipe all over your yard when spring comes around—and besides, it’ll just be easier than trying to thaw out frozen metal later! When draining outdoor faucets, don’t forget about any overflow drains as well!
Locate the main water shut-off valve.
If you’re not sure where it is, check with a professional plumber in Winchester, VA. This valve will control the water flow in your house, so knowing where it is will help you avoid costly leaks or floods if something goes wrong with your pipes.
Inspect your water heater.
Make sure your water heater is working properly. Winter is a good time for this inspection because it’s likely that you’ve been using more hot water than usual as you try to stay warm in chilly temps—and if there are any problems with your heater now, you’ll want to catch them before they turn into a much worse!
Check for leaks.
Just like any other part of your home, plumbing can develop issues over time, and winter is a fantastic time to check for leaks before they become a bigger problem. If you live in an area that gets below-freezing temperatures, make sure to check all outdoor faucets and hose connections as well as inside faucets and connections.
Service your sump pump.
Sump pumps are often forgotten about during the colder months because they’re not in use, but they can still need maintenance. A sump pump can get clogged with debris from snow melting or leaves falling from trees. If you notice water pooling around your foundation or basement walls, it’s likely time for some sump pump servicing!
Clean gutters and downspouts.
This is one of the most important things you can do to prevent ice dams from forming on your roof that can cause water damage to your home or business. When the snow melts off your roof, it flows into gutter systems that run along the edge of the roofline; if these are clogged with leaves or other debris, they won’t be able to drain properly, and water will get backed up under shingles where it freezes easily when temperatures drop below freezing at night! It’s best to clean these out each fall before the first big snowfall so you don’t get stuck with an expensive repair bill come springtime.
Check your attic insulation.
If you’re using cedar shingles for roofing material, make sure that there aren’t any gaps between the shingles where air can leak in and cause cold spots on the roof. You can also look for areas where insulation may be missing or has been pushed aside by animals or birds looking for a place to nest.
Seal air leaks.
One of the easiest tips for winter plumbing maintenance to keep your pipes from freezing is to seal any air leaks in your home. Air leaks can be responsible for up to 30% of your heat loss during the winter. A lot of people don’t realize that these kinds of leaks can happen anywhere—even in the attic! If you’re using an old-fashioned hot water tank with no insulation or protection from the elements, there’s a chance that some of that heat is escaping into the sky instead of staying where it belongs: in your home. So give yourself a little extra warmth this winter by sealing up those gaps!
Turn up the thermostat.
If you live in an older house, it might be worth turning up your thermostat even higher than usual during winter months so that you don’t risk freezing your pipes when temperatures dip below freezing outside (or inside). Just remember that if you start getting too warm, open windows and doors as needed, so cool air can circulate freely through rooms.
Check for basement leaks.
Another tip that you should consider in the plumbing maintenance checklist is to head down to your basement and make sure that everything looks okay there. If you see any cracks, seepage, or water stains on any walls or floorboards, get those fixed ASAP! You don’t want them turning into bigger problems later on.
Inspect and clean the HVAC system.
If it’s been a while since your heating system was inspected, then now is a great time to check in on its condition. If there’s any buildup around vents or filters that needs removing, now is also when you should do it—before they become clogged with snow or ice! Finally, make sure all ducts are clear of debris so they can effectively heat up rooms throughout your house. If you find any problems with your HVAC system, then it’s time to hire a professional HVAC technician in Winchester, VA.
Test carbon monoxide detectors.
Carbon monoxide detectors are essential during these cold months because they can save lives if an unexpected gas leak or other emergency causes flooding or freezing. If you haven’t done so already, test your detectors now to make sure they’re working properly.
Flush toilets in unused spaces.
It might seem silly, but flushing toilets make sure that there isn’t any toilet paper stuck inside the pipes—which could cause clogs or blockages! If you want to be extra careful, try flushing one extra time just before bedtime each night too! That way, nothing gets stuck overnight while everyone is asleep (or away).
Know how to shut off the water supply to individual fixtures.
If you have an older home with galvanized pipes (which are vulnerable to freezing), then you’ll need to understand how to shut off the water supply to individual fixtures in case of an emergency. You can do this by turning off the main shut-off valve or shutting off individual fixtures like toilets or sinks individually with valves under them. This way, if something goes wrong with one part of your plumbing system, you won’t have to worry about losing everything else too!
Test water pressure.
Check your water pressure before winter hits so you’ll know if it drops when the snow starts falling. If so, turn up the temperature on your hot water heater. This will help prevent freezing pipes in the event of an extended power outage.
Make sure all sinks are unclogged.
Don’t forget about the sinks in your home—they need some love too! After every use, run some hot water through the sink and check for any build-up of gunk around the drain opening. If you have an overflow tube, clean it out with some baking soda and vinegar (or even toothpaste). And don’t forget to scrub down the rim of your toilet bowl—that’s another place where buildup can occur!
Know the signs of frozen pipes.
If your pipes freeze in the winter, they could burst and cause hundreds of dollars worth of damage. You’ll know if your pipes are frozen when you notice one or more of these symptoms: ice on the faucet, water dripping from the faucet and/or sink, and loud banging noises coming from your drains or toilet tank. If you see any of these signs, call a plumber right away!
Drain your sprinklers.
If you live in an area that gets freezing temperatures during the winter months, make sure to drain your sprinkler system before temperatures drop below freezing. If you don’t and there’s snow on the ground, any water left in your sprinkler system will freeze and then expand once it does thaw out again—which can cause damage to your sprinkler system and even cause leaks inside your home!
Keep cabinet doors open.
If you have cabinets under your sinks or tubs and they’re not getting used this time of year, keep them open so they can dry out between uses.
Educate household members.
This is critical! If someone accidentally leaves a faucet running or forgets to turn off the water after doing dishes, you should fearlessly educate them about how serious these issues can be. Don’t give them excuses or sugarcoat things—just make sure they know how dangerous it is when they don’t follow your instructions!
Have emergency plumber’s information handy.
If you’re having a problem with your pipes, you’ll want to know who to call in case of an emergency. Keep the number of a local plumber like Casco Plumbing And Well Pump Service on hand so you can get help quickly in case of a problem.
How Signing Up For Annual Plumbing Service Agreements Can Benefit You?
As a homeowner, you probably have a lot of different things on your mind. But there’s one thing you can be sure your plumbing system will not do itself.
The good news is that it doesn’t have to. Annual plumbing service agreements are a great way to ensure your plumbing system stays in top condition and runs smoothly.
Here are just some of the benefits annual plumbing service agreements offer:
Regular maintenance
The first benefit of signing up for annual plumbing service agreements is that it allows you to take advantage of regular maintenance, which can save you dollars and more time in the long run. Regular maintenance ensures that your plumbing system is running at peak efficiency, so when any problems arise, they’re easier and less expensive to fix. It also helps prevent issues from developing further down the line. For example, if you’re not regularly maintaining your system and notice a leak or other problem, it’s more likely that these issues will get worse before being addressed.
Increased Efficiency
Another benefit of signing up for annual plumbing service agreements is increased efficiency! When a plumber comes out once a year and checks over the entire system (or at least part of it), he or she can make sure it works as efficiently as required. This means less water will be wasted while running through the pipes, reducing your monthly utility bills even further!
Extended lifespan of plumbing fixtures
When you sign up for annual plumbing service agreements, you’ll get a reduced rate every year on all your plumbing maintenance. This means you’ll be able to save money and keep your fixtures in better condition.
Reduced emergency repairs
When you sign up for an annual plumbing maintenance agreement with us, we will do routine inspections on your home’s plumbing system. We can easily spot problems early on and fix them before they become major issues. This helps to reduce emergency repairs because we catch problems before they happen!
Priority service and discounts
Signing up for an annual plumbing service agreement means you get priority service and discounts on all your repairs. You’ll be the first to hear about any new promotions and specials we have going on, so you can take benefit of them as soon as possible—and save money at the same time!
Peace of mind
When you sign up for our annual plumbing service agreement, you’ll know that it’ll be fixed quickly and correctly when something goes wrong with your plumbing. You won’t have to worry about whether or not we’ll be able to fix it—we always do!
Ready to Sign Up? Call for Plumbing Maintenance Services in Winchester!
Annually, the average family spends $15,000 on plumbing. This is because of problems that could have been prevented with a simple yearly checkup.
What if you could reduce your yearly plumbing costs by 50% or even more? What if you were able to save money on things like plumbing repairs, emergency calls, and parts?
That’s why Casco Plumbing And Well Pump Service offer annual plumbing service agreements. We are a full-service plumbing company in Winchester that can assist you in gaining the best out of your home or business’s plumbing. From leaky faucets and clogged drains to water softeners, we have it all. We’re also experts in well pumps, so if you’re looking to invest in a new one or just want to make sure yours is working in the correct way, we can help you with that too!
With an annual agreement, you can receive:
– Regular inspections from a licensed plumber
– Unlimited emergency calls
– Discounted parts and labor costs
– Preventative maintenance to help reduce the risk of leaks, clogs, and other issues in your pipes or appliances
– No charge for emergency service calls
– Fast response time
– 24/7 service and support
– No upfront costs or hidden fees
– A guarantee of 100% satisfaction from our team
We provide free estimates, so you can clearly understand what services will cost before committing to them. We also offer financing options for those who qualify. Our technicians are highly trained and experienced—most have been with us for over 10 years. They’re also friendly and professional—they’ll treat your home like theirs while there!
And if you’re looking for an annual service agreement in Winchester, we’ll provide all of the maintenance and repairs that come with it at no extra charge!
So contact us today at (540) 773-8076 to learn more about how we can help you with Year-round Preventive Maintenance in Winchester!
