Winter Plumbing Prep!

Here’s the thing, in the night in Tucson we can still dip below freezing temps, so having some idea what your pipes need for the season is a good one! Plus, not all of our audience is local to the area, or if you’re snowbird prepping your home in the midwest for the trip down to Tucson this winter – this blog’s for you! This time on the Economy Plumbing Services blog we’re talking winter plumbing prep! Here are a few steps to take to keep your plumbing and pipes working come the spring!

Insulate, Insulate, Insulate!

Insulate Pipes

The number one thing you can do to keep your pipes safe during the cold months? Insulate them! If you have any plumbing that runs through an unheated area like an attic, garage, or crawl space. 

Insulate The Garage Door

While you’re in the garage take note. How many water lines do you have running through there? If there’s a few, insulating the garage door (if not the entire garage) might be the way to go to keep things warmer and prevent freezing over.

Turn Off Outdoor Faucets

Chances are you’re not going to be out using your faucets during the winter so shut them off using their shutoff valves. Drain any water out of the pipe, otherwise the water stuck inside could still freeze over and crack the pipe.

Disconnect and Store Hoses/Bibs

While we’re at it with the outside faucets, take a look at the hoses you have. Any hose with water left filling it up is just asking for a frozen and broken pipe. Disconnect the hose, empty it out and store it for the winter. Then cover the hose bibs with an insulated cover (these are cheap too, just a couple of dollars at most places).

Seal Around Rim Joists

Arizona readers skip ahead, chances are you don’t have any rim joists to worry about. Rim joists are the most common spots for cold air to push through into your home or walls. Seal these cracks or holes using a simple expandable foam, then insulate between the floor joists. Just make sure you don’t insulate the pipe from the heat that’s in the home, that can cause more problems than you’d like! Look around the for holes where pipes, wires, or cables pass through the exterior wall and insulate where able either with expandable foam or caulk.

Heading South For the Winter? Shut off the Water!

Heading to visit family in the Grand Canyon State? Make sure if you’re leaving town for even just a few days, to turn off the water at the main shutoff. This way, if disaster does strike and your pipes freeze and crack they’ll do way less damage. 

Prep Against A Snap

No, we’re not talking about Thanos here! We’re talking about cold snaps. These depend on location for sure, as a quick dip below 32 degrees isn’t much of a concern in Maine, but in Arizona? Yeah might be something to look at!

Come spring your pipes will thank you for all your help, and if something did break down, well you know who to call!

If Water Runs Through it Or To It, We Do It!

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