Tips to protect your pipes for the winter season
A water line that drops below 32 degrees can potentially freeze, and the water damage to your home from ruptured pipes can lead to significant and costly repairs. To help prevent this, it’s important to winterize your pipes for the cold weather. Disconnect your hoses to avoid a build-up of pressure that could cause a water leak or break, turn off the water supply to outdoor fixtures and faucets — and then run the taps to empty any excess water. Insulate outdoor pipes with garden faucet covers or padded faucet socks, and make sure they're tightly sealed to provide optimal thermal protection. It’s also important to properly shut down and drain your sprinkler system, including turning off valves and timers. If you plan to be away for an extended time during the colder months, keep your home’s temperature set to at least 60 degrees.
Why is it important to winterize my pipes?
When temperatures drop below freezing, water inside pipes can freeze, expand and potentially burst, leading to significant water damage and costly repairs.
How can I prepare outdoor hoses and fixtures for winter?
It’s important to disconnect all hoses, turn off the water supply to outdoor fixtures, and run the taps to drain any remaining water.
How can I protect exposed pipes?
Insulate outdoor pipes with garden faucet covers or padded faucet socks, and make sure they're tightly sealed to provide optimal thermal protection.
How do I prepare my sprinkler system for cold weather?
Shut off the water by accessing the main valve. If your system has valves to prevent backflow, make sure to also turn those off. Completely turn off the automatic timer or set the system for rain mode. It’s very important to drain the water to keep it from flowing in — and to empty out what's still in the system.
Why is draining water so important when preparing pipes for winter?
Removing excess water reduces pressure buildup, which helps prevent pipes from cracking or bursting in freezing conditions.
How can I protect my pipes if I’m away for an extended period?
Because the temperature inside a home can drop significantly when a house is unoccupied for long stretches of time, set your thermostat to at least 60°F to help maintain a consistent indoor temperature. This can prevent pipes from freezing.
Any final tips to help winterize my pipes?
Be proactive before the cold weather hits and temperatures drop. Basic steps like disconnecting hoses, turning off the water supply to outdoor fixtures and draining the sprinklers can help prevent your water line from bursting.
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