Cold weather is now on its way in Maryland, which means now is the time to start preparing your house for freezing temperatures.
Cold weather is now on its way in Maryland, which means now is the time to start preparing your house for freezing temperatures. One of the most essential things you will need to do to prepare your home correctly is to get your plumbing system prepared for the freezing cold temperatures. The experts at Mahon Plumbing have compiled a few handy tips for preparing your plumbing tips down below. Read on to learn more!
Insulate Your Exposed Pipes
Exposed plumbing pipes in your garage, basement, attic, or crawlspace are subjected to freezing cold temperatures without the right insulation. To prevent water from freezing inside your lines, you will need to apply insulating material on all sections of exposed plumbing pipes. It gets very cold in the winter, so you should consider installing a heat cable in addition to wall insulation. Usually, insulation alone does not provide enough heat retention during particularly long, colder periods. If you are unsure how to install pipe insulation and heating cables, contact a plumber from Mahon for assistance.
Shut Down Outdoor Spigots and Hoses
Before those freezing temperatures hit, you must turn off your outdoor water spigots and disconnect and drain out any attached hoses. First, you will need to let the bleeder cap on every spigot drain fully; otherwise, water will still freeze inside the pipe and crack it a bit. After you have shut off your fixtures and put your hoses in your storage, it is also a smart idea to install covers on the very top of your spigots. Insulated covers help prevent any heat loss where the pipe meets your exterior, providing an extra layer of protection against frozen plumbing pipes.
Perform a Full Exterior Inspection
Perform a quick walkthrough of your home to check for any signs of damage that might allow an excessive amount of freezing air into your home. Here is what you should look out for:
- Cracks in the siding
- Cracks in the foundation
- Improperly sealed doors and windows
- Signs of moisture up in your attic
- Roof damage
If you see any signs of exterior damage, be sure to have the affected areas fixed up before the worst of the cool weather season hits. If you are in a pinch, you could use caulking or spray foam insulation as a temporary fix.
Shut Off Your Water Main If You’re Gone
Whether you are leaving town for just a couple of days or you’re heading to a warmer country for the winter, always make sure to shut off your water main before you head out.
Call Mahon Plumbing Today
If you still have more questions regarding your plumbing, we here at Mahon Plumbing are here to help. We have been serving the wider Baltimore area since 1994, so we have 25 years of experience to back up our fantastic service! Call us at our Baltimore location at 410-766-8566 or our Pasadena location at 410-636-7944. Be sure to keep up with us on social media by following us on Facebook or Twitter.