The unrelenting cold of winter can wreak havoc on your home, especially if your home isn’t prepared. And when it comes to winter, nothing is more vulnerable than your plumbing. That’s because water is constantly running through your pipes and when the temperature drops, that water is in danger of freezing.
So, if you want to avoid costly plumbing repairs in South Jersey this year, you should make sure to follow this checklist.
Check your exterior
There are a few things you need to check when it comes to the exterior of your home. While you might usually focus on the interior of your home, the exterior could actually be the cause of most of the damage. When you do your check, you should look for:
- Cracks in your siding or foundation that need to be sealed
- Exposed pipes that may not be insulated
- Pooling water
All of these are signs that you may need to call a South Jersey plumber.
Turn off outdoor faucets
You should turn off all your outdoor faucets, including outdoor showers, spigots or any bathrooms you have. Before turning them off, you should open them up to allow excess water to run out. These outdoor faucets are the most vulnerable to the winter cold and can cause freezing and bursting if they are left open all winter long.
Call a plumber
It’s never a bad idea to have a South Jersey plumber come by and take a look at your plumbing before winter. This is especially true if you have older pipes that may not be insulated. Most of your plumbing will be located in the crawl space or attic, and if you’re not comfortable checking them yourself, it is best to have a professional take a look.
Getting your home ready for winter is definitely not the first thing on everyone’s list every year. Doing it, though, can save you a lot of time and money on plumbing repairs in South Jersey. The little bit of time it will take to make sure your plumbing is ready for winter is surely worth it to avoid having your home or crawl space flooded in the dead of winter.