Time to Winterize!
As we are approaching the colder temperatures, there are some very important steps to take to make sure your home is safe from hazards and expensive repairs. On top of your regular furnace maintenance to ensure that it will keep you warm all winter, there is all the outdoor plumbing to consider too.
Here are four very important steps you need to take to make sure your outside water lines are safe from damage, especially in our climate!
The freezing temperatures can destroy our outside water lines, so now is the time to do some preventive winterizing to your outside faucets and fixtures which could save you a ton of money and frustration from potential damage.
1: Remove hoses and any other connections from the hose bibs. Any water trapped in there can freeze the fixtures.
2: Inspect outside fixtures for any leaks or drips. Any leaks could also block up and freeze the pipe.
3: Shut off the outside line and drain all the water from the pipes
4: Cover your hose bibs. Insulating them with a hose bib cover will protect them from the cold. Even if your hose bibs are “frost-free, we still recommend them as they are not completely frostproof, and the gaskets and washers inside the hose bibs will benefit from the extra insulation — especially in our extremely cold temperatures! You can find these covers at any hardware store, they are inexpensive and easy to install yourself.