We instantly think of warm sweaters, pumpkin patches, and hot apple cider as the brilliant fall colors spread across Howell. For savvy homeowners, fall also marks the season when protecting your home’s plumbing system is very important. A single frozen pipe may cause a major disaster, so those chilly New Jersey winters are no joke.
At Just Drains NJ, we’ve handled such shortcomings more than once. The good news is that you can greatly decrease the chances of winter plumbing emergencies this fall with a little proactive maintenance. This article gives you a to-do list to get your Howell home ready for whatever winter sends your way.
Tips for Outdoors
Unplug and Drain Outside Faucets
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Stagnant water present within the outdoor faucets or garden hoses will freeze up, expand and likely rupture. The best form of prevention is to take off all of the hoses and drain them off then store them away during the winter months. Then, find the shut-off valve to the outside water supply system, usually in the basement or utility room. Turn it off then open the outside faucet to let excess water drain. It is also recommended to insulate faucet covers for extra protection.
Clear Every Drop from Your Sprinkler System
If you have an in-ground irrigation system, it may require professional winterization. Water often remains in the underground pipes and valves after every use. A pressurized air blow-out can help clear every drop, preventing a costly repair job come spring. This is one of those tasks that is best left for the professionals.
Clean Your Gutters
Although it may not be strictly plumbing, clogged gutters can be a major risk to your plumbing and surroundings come winter. This happens when free flow of water, snow, and ice is blocked by leaves and debris. Over time, it can force running water back under your roof shingles and into the foundation. This creates moisture problems and potential flooding in the basement, an issue that will require expert skills and equipment.
Protecting the Interior
Insulation
Pipes located in unheated spaces are often prime targets for freezing. It is crucial to pay special attention to your basement, crawl spaces, garage and any cabinets under skins on exterior walls. An inexpensive and incredibly effective solution is to install a foam pipe insulating tubing. In extremely cold spaces, consider wrapping pipes with a heat tape that is controlled by a thermostat to provide an active layer of protection.
Identify the Main Closure Valve
When you have a plumbing crisis, you realize how every second counts. As soon as a pipe bursts, it sends a large amount of water in a very short time span that is extremely hard to manage. If you have an idea where the main water supply shut-off valve is, then preventing a disastrous flood is extremely easy. Consider sharing such information with other grown-up members of the family so that they may help whenever required.
The Trickle Strategy
A small steady trickle of water from both cold and hot taps of a faucet can help prevent a freeze on nights when Howell forecasts call for lower temperatures. Moving water is much harder to freeze compared to standing water. As a savvy homeowner, you will realize that the minimal cost of the water trickling from your faucets is insignificant compared to how much it will cost to repair.
Don’t Forget Your Water Heater
Water heaters work harder than usual in the winter to provide the convenience when needed. However, sediment buildup can lessen its performance and strain the entire system. You can eliminate the silt at the bottom and regain its efficiency by draining a few gallons. Not only does it extend the heater’s lifespan but also gets you ready for the colder months of the year.
Just Drains NJ Can Help
Extreme weather can happen even with the best preparation. To boost your readiness, you can keep our business contact ready. You don’t have to worry when you have Just Drains NJ plumbing experts at your service. As a homeowner, you wouldn’t want the hassle of looking for a reliable plumber when a pipe burst occurs at 2 a.m. on Sunday. The safest bet is to have a reliable solution on speed dial.
At Just Drains, NJ, we can help make your home ready for the coming winter. With our simple preventive maintenance service, we can relieve you from stress and mess. This will go a long way in preventing the expense of a plumbing catastrophe mid-winter.
