Preparing a home for winter is no small task. From checking windows and doors to getting your chimney cleaned, the list never seems to end. One thing that should be towards the top of the list is preparing your sewer and drain lines. Unprepared sewer and drain lines may freeze and burst as the temperatures drop, leading to a costly and timely repair. Follow these simple preparation steps to ensure you have running water and draining sewer lines all winter long.
Insulating Your Pipes
Any exposed sewer or water lines running outside of your home need to be insulated. To begin this process just walk around the inside and outside of your home to look for any exposed pipes. Once you find them, determine if the area is heated or not. If it isn’t, it’s time to insulate!
Inspect the Water Heater
Have a professional come inspect your water heater each year before winter to ensure it’s in good working condition. If any repairs need done, now’s the time to do it. What seems like a small issue now could lead to bursting pipes in just a couple of months. If you notice poor performance from your water heater at any time during the winter, call a professional right away to come take a look.
Find the Shut Off Valve
Get familiar with where your water shut off valve is before winter. In general, it’s always a good idea to know where that valve is. If a pipe bursts or you begin to have any issues with frozen pipes, turn the water off immediately. This will help reduce water damage while you wait for the burst pipe to be repaired.
Let it Drip
If you know an especially cold night is coming, let your faucets drip through the night. It doesn’t have to be a stream, literally just dripping water is enough to keep the flow moving and prevent freezing. You should only have to let it drip on extremely cold nights, not all winter long. This helps prevent a water bill that goes through the roof! You can also leave your kitchen and bathroom cabinets open to let some of the warm air in your home reach the pipes.
Trust the 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!