Well, it’s that time of the year; winter has arrived. But do you know what’s needed to protect your home and pipes from the cold weather? Plumbing winterization could save you from an expensive plumbing bill. Freezing pipes can be a massive headache for both renters and homeowners alike. But don’t worry. These winter disasters are easily preventable, so let’s find out how to winterize your plumbing with this step-by-step guide!

First Things First, Let’s Winterize Your Outdoor Plumbing

It’s a good rule to tackle anything exposed to the elements first. You can have a winter free of frozen pipes by following the steps below to begin winterizing your house plumbing! 

Disconnect Your Hose

First, one of the easiest ways to protect your pipes and prevent freezing this winter is to detach your garden hose and place a cover over your outdoor water hose faucet. If you don’t, ice can begin to form and cause a leak to develop or damage your pipes.

Is Your Crawlspace Sealed?

Another easily forgotten step in protecting your home from the winter weather is ensuring you seal your crawl space vents. Unfortunately, crawl space covers can be easily lost. If you’ve lost yours, you can go to any hardware store and grab some reasonably inexpensive new ones. 

Sealing Up Air Gaps

Now it’s time to check around your house and seal any open gaps around piping or electrical conduits that lead inside with simple caulking, heat tape, or expanding foam. You may be surprised by the number of gaps in your exterior walls. Feel around for cold air to help find them.

After this step, you can seal any gaps around windows and door frames if you have excess caulking or foam. Sealing will help control your home’s temperature and save extra money on your electrical bill. 

Will Your Home Be Vacant?

Check Your Water Lines

If your property is vacant, you’ll want to find your water valve. Use the shut-off valves to turn off the water supply. You can then use air compressors to remove any remaining water in your pipes.

Winterizing Your Hot Water Tank

Now let’s address your hot water heater. First, you’ll want to drain all the water in your holding tank. You can do this by opening the valve at the tank’s bottom. BUT WAIT! Does your hot water tank have a floor drain? If not, you’ll want to hook up a water hose to direct the water flow outside. 

Don’t Forget About Your Toilets

This one is easy, go to each of your toilets to remove as much water as possible from the tanks and water bowl by repeatedly flushing your toilet. If you can’t remove all the water, you’ll want to add a little antifreeze to your toilet. While you’re doing this, check your bathtubs and showers. Then, add a little antifreeze to the drain to prevent trapped water from freezing.

Now It’s Time To Winterize Your Indoor Plumbing

Alright, we’ve finished proofing your outdoor plumbing. So, head inside, warm up, and let’s finish winterizing your home!

Insulate Pipes

It’s time to get into your crawl space if you have one. But before doing that, you’ll want to head to your favorite hardware store and find some insulation sleeves. No need to get fancy, something cheap will work fine! 

Once you have this, you can wrap your pipes to protect them from freezing temperatures. Try your best to make sure there are no exposed gaps to keep your pipes from freezing. Refrain from placing heaters in your crawl space, as this can be a severe fire hazard. You can also wrap any pipes in your garage and or attic.

Keep An Eye On Your Indoor Temperature

Now that we have prepared your plumbing for the coming winter weather, it’s time to kick back and stay toasty. Keep your heat on, and keep your house at a reasonable temperature. You want to keep your internal temp from going below 55 degrees. In addition, you’ll want to leave your cabinet doors beneath your bathroom, and kitchen sinks open. That way, the warm air inside your home can reach your pipes. 

Why Is Plumbing Winterization Important?

Plumbing winterization may sound like a lot of work, but trust us, it’s necessary. Neglecting your home during the winter could lead to hundreds, if not thousands, in damages, which is the last thing anyone wants. 

Winter Plumbing Maintenance Checklist

To wrap this all up, here is a quick checklist that you can print and use: