As the crisp air settles over Willow Heights, it’s a beautiful time of year. However, with freezing temperatures comes the risk of burst pipes, a costly, messy, and stressful emergency that is almost entirely preventable.
Protecting your plumbing system should be at the top of every Willow Heights homeowner’s winter preparation checklist. Here are the essential steps you can take today to safeguard your home and community.
Disconnect and Drain Outdoor Hoses
This is the most straightforward and most crucial step for exterior plumbing.
- Disconnect: Remove all garden hoses attached to exterior spigots (faucets). If water remains in the hose, it can freeze, expanding back into the spigot and the internal piping, which can cause a serious break inside your wall.
- Drain: Ensure both the hose and the spigot are empty of water.
- Cover: After disconnecting and draining, install an Outdoor Faucet Cover (often a foam dome or bag) over the hose bib. This provides an essential insulating layer to protect the vulnerable metal fixture from direct cold and wind.
- Store: Store the hoses in a shed or garage until spring.
Shut Off & Drain Exterior Faucets
Even after disconnecting hoses, your exterior plumbing still needs to be drained and shut off using the valve located inside your home.
- Locate the Interior Shut-Off: Follow the pipes from the outside faucet to the interior of your home (often in a basement, crawl space, or utility room). You should find a separate shut-off valve for each exterior spigot.
- Turn Off the Water: Turn the interior valve clockwise until it is completely closed.
- Open the Spigot: Once the interior valve is off, go back outside and open the exterior spigot. This allows any residual water trapped in the pipe section to drain out. Leave the spigot open a tiny bit for the winter to allow any expanding ice to move.
Insulate Vulnerable Pipes
Pipes located in unheated areas, such as attics, crawl spaces, garages, or near exterior walls, are most susceptible to freezing.
- Use Foam Pipe Sleeves: You can buy inexpensive foam pipe sleeves or heat tape from any hardware store. They are easy to install and fit right over exposed pipes.
- Wrap Water Heater Lines: Pay special attention to the cold-water supply line leading into your water heater and the hot water line leaving it, especially if the unit is in a garage or unheated basement. Use 6FT Heat Tape for Water Pipes and follow the manufacturer’s directions to wrap and plug it in securely. This powered tape provides active heat to prevent freezing in critical areas.
- Address Vents and Cracks: Check for any openings, vents, or cracks in your foundation or exterior walls that allow cold air to reach the pipes. Seal these gaps using caulking or expanding foam to keep cold drafts out.
During a Cold Snap: Use the “Drip Method.”
If Willow Heights is forecast to experience severely cold temperatures (especially below 20° F for an extended period), even slight water movement can prevent freezing.
- Choose a Faucet: Select a faucet furthest from the main water supply or one connected to an exterior wall.
- Set a Drip: Turn on both the hot and cold water just enough to maintain a slow, constant drip. Even a tiny bit of water movement helps relieve pressure and prevent freezing.
- Catch the Water: Use a bucket or container to catch the dripping water to avoid wasting a significant amount of water.
What If You Leave Town?
If you plan to travel this winter:
- Turn Down, Don’t Turn Off: Never turn your heat completely off. Set your thermostat to at least 55° F. This keeps the interior temperature high enough to protect pipes hidden inside walls.
- Enlist a Neighbor: Ask a trusted Willow Heights neighbor to periodically check your home, especially during deep freezes, to ensure the heat is running and no visible leaks have occurred.
Taking these simple, proactive steps now can save you thousands in repairs and keep your Willow Heights home safe and dry all winter long!
