How to winterize your plumbing system
Winterizing a house takes an afternoon and saves the repair that follows a burst pipe. These are the five steps we recommend to every customer before the first freeze.
1. Insulate exposed pipes
Any pipe you can see in a basement, crawl space, garage or attic is a pipe the cold can reach. Slip foam pipe sleeves over them, and use heat tape on the runs that have frozen before. The cold-water supply to the water heater and anything on an exterior wall come first.
2. Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses
Take every hose off its bib, drain it, coil it and store it dry until spring. A hose left connected holds water against the valve and is the commonest cause of a split hose bib. If your bibs are not frost-free, cover them, or have us swap them for frost-free bibs.
3. Seal leaks and cracks
Check exposed plumbing for weeping joints or hairline cracks and fix them now; a small leak becomes an ice plug. Seal the gaps where pipes pass through walls and floors with weatherproof caulk or foam so cold air cannot reach the pipe.
4. Keep the heat on
Keep the house at a steady temperature, and never below 55°F, even when you are away. Sudden drops are what catch pipes out. Open the cabinets under sinks on exterior walls so warm air circulates around the supply lines.
5. Let taps drip in extreme cold
On the coldest nights, let the taps on exterior walls and in unheated spaces drip. Moving water resists freezing and the open tap relieves pressure if ice forms.
Ask us to look
If you would rather have a plumber walk the house, we offer free estimates and can insulate exposed runs, replace standard hose bibs with frost-free ones and add shut-offs so outdoor lines can be isolated. Call (206) 708-3134.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need to winterize if I am staying in the house all winter?
- Yes, but it is simpler. The main risks for an occupied house are outdoor hose bibs and pipes in unheated spaces. Drain the hoses, insulate what you can reach, and keep the heat on.
- What if the house will be empty for the winter?
- Turn the heat down no lower than 55°F, shut off the main water supply and open the taps to drain the lines, and have someone check the house during a cold snap. For a longer absence we can drain the system properly and winterize the water heater.