Expert Tips to Prepare Your Plumbing for Winter

As temperatures start to drop, the usual concerns of homeowners often include changing tires, prepping outdoor furniture, or even storing away garden tools. One area that should never be neglected, though, is the plumbing system, as cold weather can bring serious problems to pipes and fixtures if they’re not adequately prepared. RAM Plumbing offers these tips to winterize your plumbing.

Make Sure All Outdoor Faucets Are Shut Off and Drained

Before the start of winter, you should turn off the water supply to all outdoor fixtures, like garden hose bibs or sprinkler systems. Disconnect your hose from the faucet and drain it of any remaining water so it won’t freeze and cause damage that would necessitate costly plumbing repairs.

Clean Out Gutters and Downspouts

Clogged or broken gutters can wreak havoc in winter, as the resulting blockage can cause water to collect and freeze in your home’s walls or foundation. Clean out gutters before the cold weather sets in, and check that downspouts are carrying water away from your house.

Insulate pipes

Inspect your plumbing system for exposed pipes in the basement, attic, garage, or crawl space. Consider wrapping these with insulation sleeves or using pipe insulation foam to prevent them from freezing and bursting – an emergency plumbing situation you don’t want to deal with.

Check for Leaks and Repair Them Immediately

Cold temperatures can cause existing leaks to worsen, so look for signs of moisture on walls or floors near plumbing fixtures and let professional plumbing services take care of the problem as soon as possible.

Have Your Water Heater Serviced

There’s nothing worse than a cold shower on a chilly day. To prevent this unpleasant experience from happening, you must make sure your water heater is working correctly by having it inspected and serviced by your trusted local plumbing company before winter arrives. This will help prevent rust and mineral buildup in your system and ensure it runs efficiently all season long.

Ready to tackle winter plumbing maintenance? RAM Plumbing is your go-to plumber in Tucson, AZ if you need expert assistance. We are available 24/7 to provide the top-notch services your home or business needs. Contact us today to learn how we can help.