With colder temperatures on the way, now is a perfect time to get your home ready for winter. While you may have already checked your landscaping, windows, and roof, it’s time to take a look at your plumbing. Not sure where to start? Here are a few tips to help you get your pipes prepared for the winter.
Inspection
The first thing you should do is perform an inspection of your home’s pipes. You are looking for any small leaks, cracks, dents, or other imperfections that could become an issue later on. If you aren’t confident that you know what you’re looking for when you do the inspection, feel free to contact a professional to do a check for you. They’ll know precisely what they’re looking for and will be able to find it quickly and easily.
Repair
Whether you did the inspection yourself or hired a professional to do it for you, any problems found should be repaired immediately, before the cold weather sets in. If you leave the repairs for later, you risk them turning into a much larger, more complicated, and more expensive job.
Circulation
Even if there aren’t any leaks in your plumbing, they still do tend to attract moisture in the form of condensation. Before the cold weather sets in and freezing temperatures hit, take the time to air out any pipes that are enclosed or locked away. Pay particular attention to the kitchen, bathroom, and any pipes in the basement; these are areas that tend to stay damp. If you can, keep cupboard doors open, bathroom fan on, and a dehumidifier running in areas that need it.
Thawing
If you find that your pipes have frozen up in the winter, it’s essential to thaw them out gently and not quickly. Many people are tempted to use an open flame or high heat appliance on the pipe to thaw it out, but this is more likely to cause a fire in the home than to thaw your pipes quickly. Instead, focus on insulating your pipes before the winter hits to prevent freezing in the first place.
Trust the Sewer & Drain Experts
For over 37 years Boston Drain Company has provided diagnostics, sewer & drain cleaning, video pipe inspections, sewer line repairs, and preventative maintenance options to business owners and residents of Eastern Massachusetts & the Greater Boston Area. For any and all sewer & drain repair/service, call the experts at Boston Drain! Not sure if you’re needing a full replacement or just a quick fix? For a free quote contact us today via our convenient contact form or call us directly at 617-265-8888!