Odds are if you live in Cedar Rapids or Iowa City, you are very well aware of the rollercoaster mother nature takes us on every year with the change of the seasons. With winter on the horizon, it’s best to prepare your home for the worst case scenario that winter can throw at you. Here are a few tips and tricks for winterizing the pipes in your home this frosty season.
Winterizing pipes involves several steps to prepare your home’s interior and exterior plumbing to withstand the extreme winter temperatures. By following these steps you will be protecting your home from devastating pipe bursts and leaks. When water freezes, it expands, this rapid expansion quickly builds outward pressure within pipes thus causing pipe bursts.
Home Plumbing Winterization Best Practices
Insulate Exposed Pipes:
The first step in winterizing the pipes in your home is to protect your pipes from the cold- especially if you have had frozen pipes in the past. Pipes in unheated areas such as basements, attics, crawlspaces and garages need to be insulated. Insulating your pipes is relevantly easy, get some foam insulation from your local hardware store, cut to fit around your pipes and wrap it around visible lines.
Disconnect and Drain Outdoor Hoses:
Before the temperatures drop, you will need to disconnect and drain outdoor hoses. If you don’t, and leftover water left in the hoses will freeze causing damage to the faucet, hose or interior piping.
Seal any Air Leaks:
While it may be difficult for Cedar Rapids Homeowners to identify air leaks in their home, this is still a crucial part of keeping your pipes safe this winter. Drafts let cold air into the home and put their plumbing at risk. There are visible signs to look for if you suspect your home has an air leak. If your home has brick siding, check for missing bricks or significant cracks in the grout. This type of damage could cause cold air to break into your home. Another place to check in the area around outdoor hose bibs. Make sure to check for drafts around your attic or crawl spaces. If there is a space in your home that is freezing year after year, contact a professional to conduct a proper home inspection for significant air leaks.
Inspect Weatherstripping Around Windows, Doors and Garage Doors:
Weatherstripping is the lining around your windows, exterior facing doors and garage doors. Check these areas for visible wear and tear or damage. If they are worn down or deteriorated, then they won’t have a tight seal, thus allowing cold unwelcomed air into your home. Along with protecting your pipes, keeping your weatherstripping in top shape will also aid in keeping your energy bill from sky rocketing when the frosty temps take over.
Winterizing your Pipes Before Going On Vacation
Shut off Your Water Supply:
If you’re going to be away from your home for an extended amount of time during the winter months, it is best practice to shut off your water. This is the easiest way to prevent the pipes from freezing. The shut off valve for your water is usually located near the water meter.
Keep Heat the On:
Keeping the heat on in your home while you’re away is essential during the cold weather. Many homeowners program the thermostat in their home much lower while they are away to reduce their energy costs. It’s best practice to keep your home between 45-60°F while you’re away. If at all possible, appoint someone to check on your home if you will be gone for an extended period, in case of a power outage, have a generator on hand so the house sitter can turn on some sort of supplemental heat like a space heater to keep the pipes from bursting.
Drain Plumbing Lines:
Draining all of your plumbing lines is an excellent preventative measure to reduce the risk of freezing pipes while you’re away. This is done by shutting off the main water supply to the home, opening up all taps in the house until the water stops running, then closing all faucets and finally flushing all toilets.
Set your Water Heater on ‘Vacation Mode’:
If your water heater has a vacation mode, turn that on before you leave to conserve energy consumption. However, that being said, lowering your water heater temperature below 120°F is not recommended. According to the CDC, setting the water temperature below 120°F (49℃) can result in the growth of the Legionella bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ Disease.
Unclog All Drains:
Clogged drains can lead to sitting water in your plumbing thus making them more susceptible to freezing. To avoid this, make sure all sinks, toilets, dishwashers, washing machines, showers and tubs are draining properly and unplugged before you leave.
Signs of Frozen Pipes
No Water Flow:
This is the most apparent sign of frozen pipes. If you turn on a faucet while the temperatures are below freezing and no water comes out, your pipes might be frozen.
Frost on Pipes:
If there are exposed pipes in your home, one clear indication that they have frozen is if you can see frost on them.
Strange Sounds:
Banging and clanking coming from your pipes could be a sign that they are frozen. When water freezes, it expands causing pressure on your pipes causing weird sounds to come from them.
Low Water Pressure:
Low water pressure can also be an indicator of frozen pipes. If you notice a significant decrease in water pressure, especially if it’s only affecting some faucets within the home.
If your pipes freeze, Contact a Professional Plumber Right away.
Following these winterization tips can help prevent your pipes from freezing along with avoiding pricey repairs. Homeowners in the Cedar Rapids & Iowa City area can contact Colony Heating and we will have a professional out to assess your situation right away!
