Foam Insulation for PipesThe winter can be extremely harsh on your plumbing system. The sudden drop in temperature can cause a variety of plumbing issues, which is why it’s extremely important to prepare for the upcoming season by addressing all the problems and doing everything to prevent new ones from developing. As the premier plumbing service in San Diego, Plumbing Plus deals with winter plumbing problems on a regular basis, which is why we’ve compiled a list of preventive measures you can follow to make sure your plumbing system is ready for the upcoming season.

Fix Any Leaks

Even the smallest leak can wreak havoc when the temperatures decrease during the upcoming months, especially since San Diego is prone to winter frosts at night. This is why it is important to check any exposed pipes, both inside and outside your home, and see if there are any leaks. If you wait for the winter to pass to fix the leak, the damage from the frozen water to the adjacent pipes can be severe. If the pipes are insulated, check the insulation as well. There might be hidden leaks in there you aren’t even aware of. Fixing the leaks before winter will not only save your pipes but your money as well. This is why you should schedule a checkup with a reputable plumbing service in San Diego and deal with these issues before they escalate.

Insulate the Pipelines

The best preventative measure you can protect your pipes during the winter with is to make sure any exposed pipes are well insulated. Check the crawl spaces, the garage and the attic for exposed pipes. If you can see it, you need to cover it with insulation foam. This can save a lot on heating expenses as insulated pipes will keep the warm air from escaping. Such a simple and inexpensive precaution will go a long way in keeping your pipes at full capacity during the winter.

Evaporative Cooler

The evaporative cooler or a swamp cooler has to be drained before the cold weather kicks in. Before you get it ready for the winter, make sure you shut down the water and power supply to the unit. After you’ve turned these off, drain the cooler completely, including the supply line.

Pump House

A general rule of the thumb in battling the winter mishaps is to keep things from freezing. If you get your water from a well, this is also the most important rule. If you have a well, make sure the pump house is well insulated, which can keep the pipes from freezing. The same rule for insulating exposed pipes in the house applies to the pump house as well. In order to keep the water in the pump house from freezing, make sure you add a heat source and make sure that it is fully operational.

Hose Bibs and Sprinklers

Protecting the hose bibs, sprinklers and pipes from freezing should be one of your top priorities before the winter. Remove any garden hoses connected to the faucets to ensure the water doesn’t stay in the bib, as it can freeze and damage your pipes. Store the hoses in a warm place during winter to avoid any damage so you can use them again when the spring comes. Drain the water from the bibs and insulate them. If the bibs have a shut-off valve, make sure you turn the water supply off during the winter. If you don’t find such valves, insulating the bibs with a cover should suffice. The same applies to sprinklers. Drain them of any leftover water by turning on each of the valves connected to the system until the sprinklers are completely drained.

Locate the Main

In case you don’t know where your water main is, locate it before the winter so you can access it in case of an emergency. We cannot stress how important this is. Knowing where the main is during an emergency can save you insane amounts of money you would otherwise spend on home restoration. If any of your pipes burst during the winter, you will have to shut down the water supply as soon as possible to minimize the damage. Remember, prevention is the key to a safe winter.