Derry homeowners worry about frozen pipes as the seasons change from summer to fall. Taking the time to prepare your plumbing for the lower temperatures will decrease the likelihood of freezing pipes. Follow these tips to protect your plumbing system from wintertime damage.
Insulate the Pipes in Unheated Areas
Focus your attention on the pipes in the vulnerable parts of your home. Look for exposed plumbing equipment in your attic, basement, and attached garage since frozen pipes are more common in these areas. You won’t need emergency plumbing repair when you hire professionals to insulate pipes in these areas. A layer of insulation provides a barrier between your pipes and the outdoor environment.
Think About Your Pipes When Adjusting Your Thermostat
Some homeowners try to save money in the winter by lowering their thermostat to reduce heating cycles. While this strategy will help you save on energy, you don’t want to drop the thermostat setting too low. This is especially concerning when your home uses a variety of plumbing pipe materials. Each material will freeze at a different temperature.
What’s a Good Setting for My Thermostat in the Winter?
What causes frozen pipes? The outdoor temperature and the frost line in the surrounding soil contribute to freezing pipes. While most resources recommend keeping the thermostat at 55 degrees, consult a professional during your fall plumbing inspection. The age of your pipes, climate changes, and other factors will affect your pipes this winter.
Arrange for Fall Drain Cleaning to Remove Waste
Annual drain cleaning can help you protect your plumbing throughout the year, but fall is the best time to schedule this service. By removing grease, oil, and other particles from your drains, you’ll eliminate the materials that trap moisture. Otherwise, the debris in your pipes will freeze as the temperatures drop, and you’ll face a higher risk of frozen pipes.
How Can I Tell When I Need Drain Cleaning?
Freezing temperatures play a role in how long the plumbing system lasts. You can predict the possibility of frozen pipes by looking for signs that your drains need cleaning. A foul odor, slower draining, gurgling noises, and higher water bills are all signs of buildup in your pipes. Even if you don’t usually schedule drain cleaning, these signs should tell you that something is wrong.
Open Your Cabinet Doors
If you have cabinetry that sits under your kitchen or bathroom sink, get into the habit of leaving those doors slightly ajar. A small gap will let enough heated air into these enclosed areas to prevent freezing. If the outdoor temperature drops to 20 degrees or lower, let your faucets drip as well. The influx of warm air, combined with a running drip, will keep the water in your pipes from freezing.
We’ll Winterize Your Home’s Plumbing
When you work with Daigle Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, we’ll recommend maintenance services to help you protect your plumbing pipes. We can insulate and clean your pipes to reduce the risk of plumbing damage in the winter. Contact us to schedule service today!
