Winter Plumbing Tips for Your Property

Know Where the Water Main Valve is Located

The plumbing system is a complex network of pipes, drains, and other plumbing components. The "other" parts include valves and other vital parts. Water valves, for instance, regulate the water flow through pipes and plumbing fixtures. You should know where these water valves are located so that you can turn off the water supply in the event of a water pipe leak or pipe burst.

The water main valve is the most important of these valves. It controls the water supply from your municipal water utility to the whole building. An emergency is a bad time to learn about the valves, so go ahead and get familiar with the valves by turning them on and off to see if they are working properly.

Put Outdoor Faucets on Leave

Outdoor faucets and connected hoses are most at risk of freezing in the winter, and we recommend you wrap up the hoses and store them somewhere warm indoors or in the garage. As for the faucets, turn them off and insulate them.

Keep Temperatures Warm and Steady

Indoor plumbing is not completely safe from the cold either. Pipes in the garage or other exposed pipes, for instance, should be insulated from the cold temperatures. This can reduce the risk of frozen pipes and save you on energy bills by keeping the water temperatures steady.

Speaking of steady temperatures, it is also a good idea to keep the heating system on throughout the winter. If you are going to leave for the day – or even multiple days – then bring the thermostat down to 50 degrees rather than turning it off completely. Powering the unit off and back on again can use more energy than simply lowering the thermostat. Further, open up any cabinet doors that shelter water pipes. You want the warmth to reach these pipes.

During a Cold Snap, Bring Faucets to a Drip

If temperatures suddenly drop below freezing, then bring faucets to a drip. Standing water is more at risk of freezing than a flow of water. This can bump up your water bill a bit, but it beats a plumbing repair or pipe replacement by a longshot.

Need Emergency Plumbing Repair?

Would you rather leave plumbing work to an experienced, uniformed plumber? Call High Speed Plumbing if you live in Arcadia or surrounding cities in California. Our dedicated plumbers are ready, willing, and able to dispatch to your location as soon as possible. We offer emergency plumbing repair and plumbing service at most hours of the day – and night!