Plumbing Winterization Tips

The fall is the time to make certain that you are ready for Old Man Winter. HVAC and plumbing systems are critical components of your home and are worked extra hard during the often cold PA winter months. Use these tips to avoid potential headaches during the dead of winter.

Fix Plumbing Leaks

No matter where it is, a leak can become a bigger issue – rotten wood, mold, or a wet basement. But in the winter, leaks can easily become a blowout to susceptible pipes. How do you find a plumbing leak? Most plumbing leaks occur around fixtures. Check for signs of plumbing leaks around showers, tubs, sinks, and toilets by looking for damage to flooring, grout, and drywall. Also be sure to inspect more hidden areas, like cabinets under sinks and basements. A musty smell may also indicate the presence of moisture. If you are simply not sure or are unable to give your home a once-over, have one of our plumbers provide you with the peace of mind of a whole-home plumbing inspection.

Disconnect Outside Hoses

Exterior garden hoses should be disconnected, drained, and properly stored to avoid damage to the hose and spigot.

Shut-off Exterior Plumbing

After disconnecting your hose, turn the water off to all exterior plumbing and bleed the line if possible. This will prevent those pipes from freezing and making a big mess in and around your home.  If necessary, a shut-off valve can be installed to give you the ability to easily turn the water off to each spigot. Frost-free faucets are also available to keep your home safe from water damage. As a last-ditch effort, the exterior faucet can be insulated with a foam cover that can be purchased at any home improvement store.

Insulate Pipes to Prevent Bursts

When the Greater Harrisburg area reaches the frigid winter temperatures it often does, much of our plumbing is vulnerable to damage, especially in crawlspaces, attics, and exterior walls. If pipes are accessible, it is very easy to install foam insulation to prevent freezing; this will also keep any water flowing through these pipes at a more constant temperature. If there is a major concern, getting heat to that space is important. Special heaters can be installed to prevent freezing, some of these safety features can even be connected to home automation!

Service the Water Heater

A water heater, just like any appliance around your home needs maintenance. The best time to do this is the fall before the increased demand due to colder weather. Water heater maintenance is essential to prolonging the life of the water heater, increased efficiency, and hopefully avoiding a bigger mess. This is especially important for gas and heat pump water heaters.

Find Your Main Water Shut-off

Do you know how to shut the water off to your home in the event of an emergency? If not, you should. Main shut-offs are typically located near ground level along an exterior wall adjacent to the water meter. Any water-using appliance should also have its own individual shut-off to immediately stop any continued water flow to that appliance in the event something goes wrong. Knowing how to shut your water off is critical in the event of a burst pipe. When the Zimmerman plumbers or HVAC technicians make an initial visit to a home, they take the time to tag and label these valves.

Although every plumbing mishap can’t be prevented, taking some precautionary measures and investing the time in knowing your home is invaluable. If you have questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to give us a call at (717)697-3528 or schedule a visit with one of our plumbers online. We can help with the service, maintenance, and installation of almost any residential plumbing fixture.