Did you know every winter 1,000’s of homes are damaged by water as a result of frozen and bursting pipes? Winterizing your home properly is one of the best things you can do to prevent a winter water damage disaster. The following is a list of things you can do to help prevent a disaster in your home this winter!
1. Fix Leaks
Even the smallest water leak can turn into a big problem when temperatures
drop. Take the time to check all exposed pipes indoors and out for leaks. If
you wait for the water to freeze the damage to surrounding pipes is likely to
be more significant. If your pipes are insulated feel for moisture that might
have been soaked up by the insulation if there is a hidden leak.
2. Insulate Pipes
A basic preventive measure you can take is to make sure that any exposed pipes
are well insulated. To locate exposed pipes, look in your attic, crawl space,
and garage. If you can see the pipe it needs to be wrapped with insulation
foam. Pipe wrap insulation is inexpensive and easy to install, and it can save
you on heating costs as well as keeping your pipes protected.
3. Swamp Cooler
An evaporative cooler, also known as a swamp cooler, is another source of water
that needs to be drained before winter. To winterize your swamp cooler, turn
off the water and power to the unit first. Drain the water out of the cooler
and the water supply line to the unit as well. This is a good time to clean the
interior and change the pads. Finally, cover the swamp cooler with a cover or
tarp to keep it dry over the winter months.
4. Outside Hose Bibs
Protecting the hose bibs and pipes from the cold is very important. Start by
removing any garden hoses that may be connected to outdoor faucets. By removing
garden hoses, you ensure that water doesn’t stay trapped in the hose bib where
it can freeze and damage pipes. Drain any water the hoses may have in them
before storing. Protect garden hoses by storing them in the garage or shed
during winter.
To protect hose bibs from the cold you can drain collected water and insulate
them. In places where temperatures drop significantly every winter many homes
have dedicated shut off valves for outdoor hose bibs or faucets. If you happen
to have a shut off valve, you can turn the water to the hose bibs off. You will
then need to drain any water that is already in the pipes. This can be done by
opening the hose bibs and letting the water drain completely. If you don’t have
a shut off valve you can protect hose bibs and outdoor faucets by insulating
them with hose bib covers. These can be bought at any Lowes or Home Depot
Store. Hose bib covers are inexpensive and easy to install. The insulation that
these foam covers provide will keep the hose bibs from freezing.
5. Sprinklers System
The pipes of your irrigation system are a likely place for water to collect and
then freeze in cold weather. To winterize your sprinkler system, turn off the
water and flush out any collected water by turning on each valve.
6. Locate Your Water Main
Lastly, you should be sure to locate your water main in case of an emergency. Should you be faced with a burst pipe due to freezing you’ll want to be able to shut off the water quickly to minimize damage.
If you encounter any water damage this winter, give us a call at 801-566-1577. We are available 24/7 for emergencies for any damages to your Utah located property.