How to Prepare Your Home Plumbing System for Winter: A Guide by Folkes Home Services

When the winter chill settles over the Hudson Valley, you need more than a reliable heater; you also need to winterize your plumbing in Poughkeepsie to prevent freezing, burst pipes, flooding, and other disasters. The team at Folkes Home Services is always here to help with all your plumbing repairs, installations, and so much more. We also have pro tips to help you stay ahead of the freeze with practical tips and professional care.

Why You Need to Winterize Your Plumbing

Cold temperatures can wreak havoc on plumbing systems. When water freezes, it expands, creating immense pressure inside pipes that can lead to cracks or bursts. But that’s not the only issue winter can bring. Here’s what could go wrong:

• Burst Pipes: When your pipes freeze, thaw, and freeze again, you could end up with ruptured pipes that are expensive to fix and stressful to deal with.
• Clogged Drains: Ice and debris block your outdoor drains and lead to sewage backups, flooding, and other messes inside of your home.
• Water Heater Strain: Your water heater works overtime in the winter to keep up with demand in your home.  Without proper care and maintenance, it could break down and leave you with cold showers and an unhappy household.

There are simple ways to winterize your plumbing and avoid problems in cold weather.

Steps to Winterize Your Home Plumbing

A little preparation goes a long way in keeping your plumbing safe from winter’s icy grip. Here’s how to get started:

1. Insulate Your Vulnerable Pipes

It’s normal to have pipes located in unheated spaces like basements, garages, attics, or crawl spaces. Unfortunately, those areas are prone to freezing and need insulation to protect them. 

Foam pipe installation and heat tape work to protect your home without a big investment. You can pick up the materials you need from most local hardware stores for a straightforward DIY project. The Poughkeepsie, NY plumbing service team at Folkes Home Services can also conduct a service call to inspect your plumbing, identify any vulnerable pipes, and begin the process of winterizing everything for increased security and peace of mind.

2. Seal Up Cracks and Gaps

Even the smallest openings near your pipes can let in drafts, ice, and freezing temperatures. Don’t put your pipes at risk! Inspect your home’s exterior and interior walls for cracks or gaps and use caulk or spray foam. Address every area of your home, from your windows to doors and anywhere your plumbing is exposed. Door and window draft guards are also an inexpensive investment that helps keep out the cold.

3. Disconnect and Drain Your Outdoor Hoses

When you leave hoses connected to outdoor faucets, you risk trapping water. As the temperatures drop, even small amounts of water can freeze and eventually cause connecting pipes to crack or burst. Clear out all of your garden hoses, drain them thoroughly, and store them indoors until spring.

4. Winterize Outdoor Faucets

Once your hoses are disconnected, double-check that your outdoor faucets are completely drained. Shut off the water supply to the faucet and open it to let out any remaining water. It’s also wise to invest in frost-free spigots for added protection during the winter months.

5. Keep Indoor Temperatures Consistent

It’s tempting to let the temperatures inside of your home plummet to save on energy costs, especially when you’re traveling or tied up at work. In reality, it could cost you a bundle. Not only does your heater have to work overtime to warm up your home again, but you risk letting your pipes freeze. To avoid problems, set your thermostat to at least 55°F to prevent your pipes from freezing and save yourself expensive headaches later on.

6. Open Your Cabinet Doors

Cold snaps should be treated with a sense of urgency and care. Open up the doors of your kitchen and bathroom cabinets to let the warm air in your home circulate around your plumbing fixtures. It’s a simple trick, but it makes a big difference in preventing freezes.

7. Check Your Water Heater

Your water heater in Poughkeepsie needs attention to work reliably during the winter. Letting it work overtime with no maintenance or care could lead to a shutdown or poor water quality. Take the time to flush it out to remove sediment buildup and make sure everything is running efficiently. You can also add an insulation blanket to help it retain the heat better and save money on energy bills in the process.

8. Know where Your Main Water Shut-Off Valve Is

It’s not uncommon for homeowners to know where their main water shut-off valve is, especially if they recently moved in or never experienced issues. But if a pipe freezes and bursts, you need to know where the valve is to immediately shut off the water and minimize the damage in the process. Make sure everyone in your household knows where it’s located and how to operate it.

Signs Your Plumbing Might Be at Risk

Even with the best winterization strategies, plumbing issues can arise during freezing temperatures. Or, you may have had a slow-growing plumbing issue that was amplified by the winter weather. Keep an eye out for these warning signs:

• Reduced Water Flow: Slow, sluggish water is often an indicator that your pipe is partially frozen and struggling to deliver. 
• Unusual Noises: Banging or gurgling sounds in your pipes are usually a sign of a plumbing problem or ice. 
• Frost on Pipes: Visible ice and frost on your plumbing is a clear red flag.

Don’t wait for the problem to resolve itself and risk water damage to your home and costly emergency plumbing in Poughkeepsie. Call the team at Folkes Home Services for immediate assistance.

Benefits of Winterizing Your Plumbing

There are obvious benefits to winterizing your plumbing, like avoiding burst pipes or a failed water heater. But winterizing your plumbing can also:

• Lower your utility bills by improving your system’s efficiency.
• Extend the lifespan of your plumbing fixtures and appliances.
• Provide peace of mind knowing your home is protected against freezing temperatures.

Call Folkes Home Services Today for All Your Winter Plumbing Needs

Winter weather needs a proactive approach and doesn’t have to be a threat to your home. Give the team at Folkes Home Services a call for all plumbing needs, from emergencies to maintenance and simple plumbing repairs in Poughkeepsie. We can also help with professional pipe insulation, water heater maintenance, or a full plumbing inspection to keep your home dry and safe. Schedule your appointment today!