With winter on the horizon, it's time to start preparing your home. That means you need help with plumbing winterization. Brampton plumbers have weighed in and brought you a list of their top tips for plumbing winterization tips. Brampton homeowners can prevent frozen pipes and potential water damage with these tips to get their home ready for winter.
Canadian winters are no joke, which is why it's important to get your home ready for winter season—and that means prepping your plumbing systems, too. The last thing you want to have to do in the dead of winter is make the dreaded call for emergency plumbing services at midnight. You can prevent that with proper plumbing winterization. Brampton professional plumbers advise that you take the steps outlined below to properly prepare your property for a cold Canadian winter.
Our Tips for Plumbing Winterization: Brampton Edition
Here in Canada, it's important to take proactive measures to protect our homes (and our plumbing systems) from the sub-zero temperatures our winters are renowned for. With regular maintenance and the proper steps for plumbing winterization, Brampton homeowners can breathe easily.
Essential Steps for Plumbing Winterization: Brampton
Shut Off Your External Water Supply
If you live in a large property, you likely have outdoor hoses (like a garden hose) and accompanying outdoor hose bibs. Before the first cold temperatures set in, it's important to prepare these outdoor hoses and hose bibs. That means locating and turning off the water supply valve for your outdoor faucets as part of your routine for plumbing winterization. Brampton plumbers also recommend that you open all of these faucets once you've turned off the water supply to ensure that any residual water has been drained out.
Next, you'll want to properly store any garden hoses safely for next spring. Store them somewhere safe, like your garden shed or garage.
Insulate Any Exposed Pipes
If you have exposed pipes somewhere inside, like in an attic, crawl space, or your basement, take time to ensure that you have an adequate amount of pipe insulation. Whether that means going out and buying foam insulation sleeves for your pipes or another form of foam insulation, make sure that you properly insulate these pipes to avoid a burst pipe in the middle of the winter.
Professional plumbers recommend that you ensure any plumbing fixtures on exterior walls are checked to ensure that they're also properly insulated. The last thing you need is a potential plumbing emergency happening where a pipe bursts, and you're left without hot water. It's a small part of preventative maintenance, but plumbing winterization in Brampton is a necessity.
Drain Plumbing Lines and Water Heaters
Something you might not think of doing as part of your routine for plumbing winterization—Brampton plumbers recommend—is to drain your plumbing lines. It's a step of additional protection that keeps your lines in good repair.
You can drain your plumbing lines by shutting off the main water valve and opening all of your faucets until the water stops running. You'll need to first flush your toilets in order to empty the tank. Taking this step as part of plumbing winterization in Brampton can help you spot potential plumbing repairs before they become an emergency.
It's also a good idea to drain and flush your home's water heater to prevent sediment build-up, which wreaks havoc with its performance. This way, you can rest easy knowing you have a steady supply of hot water during the winter months. Remember: you rely on your water heater, so ensure that it's also properly prepared for the cold temperatures ahead by engaging in good practices for plumbing winterization. Brampton plumbers are available if you need a professional inspection as part of our comprehensive offerings for water heater services.
Keep a Consistent Temperature Indoors
If you're worried about your pipes potentially freezing and bursting, it's a good idea to ensure that you maintain a consistent temperature within your home during the winter months. That means keeping your home at a minimum of 15°C, even when you're not home for an extended period of time (such as on a vacation or visiting family). Consider it a part of preventative maintenance because it keeps your pipes from freezing. Remember that part of proper plumbing winterization in Brampton is keeping your home warm.
Check for and Seal Air Leaks
You might not think about it, but making sure that your home is properly sealed against bitterly cold weather is another key part of proper plumbing winterization. Brampton plumbers recommend that you invest in an inspection of your home to ensure that your windows and doors are properly sealed to keep out the cold temperatures.
Winterize Your Irrigation System
Although not all homeowners have one, there are plenty who do. This means that your outdoor faucets aren't the only plumbing fixtures that need proper plumbing winterization. Brampton plumbers suggest that you ensure the irrigation system has been properly blown out to remove standing water that could lead to a burst pipe, damaging your irrigation system and requiring costly repairs in the spring.
Install Faucet Covers on Outdoor Faucets
Worried about your outdoor faucets? Ice build-up can be a problem, which is why you might want to invest in insulated faucet covers that can protect your outdoor faucets from snow and ice build-up. Adequate insulation is important, not only for your water supply lines but for your outdoor faucets, too. Investing in proper plumbing winterization in Brampton can save you from having to deal with costly repairs once the snow melts.
Monitor Your Plumbing System
As part of proper plumbing winterization, Brampton certified plumbers recommend that you keep an eye on your plumbing systems. This means that you should check regularly for any signs of freezing or leaks during the winter, as early detection can prevent costly damage from occurring and the need for emergency repairs.
Open Your Cabinet Doors
Plumbing under your sinks can benefit from the occasional airing out. If you're experiencing a freezing spell, then you should open up your cabinets to allow warm air to circulate around your pipes, keeping them from freezing. It's a small thing, but it's one aspect of plumbing winterization our Brampton plumbers recommend as an easy thing to do.
Need Help with Plumbing Winterization? Brampton Plumbers Can Help
If you aren't sure about how to properly winterize your home's plumbing system, then it might be time for a professional plumber to help with your plumbing winterization. Brampton certified plumbers from Mr. Rooter Plumbing are there when you need them, with expert advice and professional services to get you ready for winter.
Don’t let freezing temperatures put your pipes at risk; instead, contact us to schedule an appointment! Winterizing your plumbing system has never been easier with our expert plumbing solutions! Feel free to ask about our professional drain cleaning, clogged drain repair, and water pressure services as well!
