Mild Georgia winters may not seem like a big threat to your home and family, but frozen pipes can be costly and inconvenient. An unexpected freeze could cause pipes to burst and create serious damage quickly. Instead of waiting for problems to arise, we recommend proactively winterizing your plumbing. Follow these tips from our plumbing pros!
- Find your Shut-Off Valve—Ideally, all adults and older children in your home should know where your shut-off valve is located. Waiting for an emergency to come up before you find it can allow for more damage to your home. The shut off valve is usually found where the water service enters the home, often at or near the water heater. If you are unsure of where it is, you can more easily locate the curb stop at the water meter and by purchasing a “meter key” at the local hardware store, you can shut off the water coming to the house at the meter.
- Make your Pipes and Faucets Cozy—If you have pipes in any unprotected or exposed locations, such as an unfinished basement, garage, crawlspace, etc., they can be at an increased risk of freezing. Add insulation and a safe heat source to these exposed pipes to minimize the chances of freezing. Your pipes can be toasty warm when you wrap them up in foam jackets, pipe wraps, or heat tape. If you need recommendations for the ideal products for your pipes, we are happy to guide you in your pipe warming process.
- Seal up your Home—Check for air leaks throughout your home. If cold winter air can seep in, your pipes could freeze. Look around your dryer vents, electrical wiring, and pipes for any leaks. While you are filling in cracks with caulk, check around your doors and windows as well. If your home is not well-sealed, your home will be working much harder to stay warm and you will be paying to heat up the outside. A toasty home will be less likely to have frozen pipes.
- Keep your Home Warm—Keeping your thermostat above 55 will help minimize the chance of a frozen pipe inside your home. Although this is not a foolproof strategy since power outages can happen and some pipes are exposed and not heated by your home, a warmer home can help. Even if you are away for a holiday visit, keep your home above 55 degrees AND SHUT OFF THE WATER AT THE METER!!
- Let your Faucet Drip on Freezing Cold Nights—If the forecast predicts freezing weather, remember to leave the faucet furthest from where your water comes into your home dripping cold water. This small step could prevent pipe freezing for your entire home.
A 3 millimeter crack in a pipe can leak up to 250 gallons of water in a day. Winterize your plumbing to diminish the chances of pipe damage during this cold season. If you have a burst pipe, our FitzGerald and Sons Plumbing Company crew is standing by 24/7 to help your family!