With bitter temperatures always a threat to central Illinois, knowing how to protect your home while cutting costs is a smart idea.
Extremely low temperatures can have a detrimental effect on both your plumbing and your heating and ventilation systems. Knowing what to do during inclement weather can give you peace of mind.
Hopefully by now the hoses have been disconnected from the outdoor water spigots. Leaving hoses connected can cause the water left sitting inside them to freeze, and not only ruin the hoses, but damage the outdoor spigots and potentially the indoor pipes.
Consider insulating the water lines. Not only will this protect them from freezing and bursting, but it can also reduce hot water costs by keeping the water in them hotter for a longer time. Insulating the water lines can keep pests away by eliminating condensation, which is a water source for insects. Check for gaps where water pipes enter the house. Use caulk or spray foam to seal these openings and reduce drafts.
When sub-freezing temperatures strike, open up the cabinet doors beneath the sink to allow the warm interior air to heat up the space around the water lines to prevent freezing. Allow a slow drip from faucets to help relieve pressure in the lines and prevent freezing. To keep any water lines running through the garage from freezing, keep the overhead door closed and open the interior door to the house to let warm air circulate into the garage. Using a space heater in an unheated garage can also maintain a warmer environment.
Familiarize yourself with the location of the main water shut off valve to your home and to each water source in your house. You can find the water shut off valves to your sinks, located underneath them and the water shut off to the toilet behind it near the wall. Most main water shut-off valves are typically found inside the home, often in the basement if one exists, and just a few feet from where the main water line enters the house. Water supply lines usually come into the home from the street side, so be sure to check utility areas such as the laundry room or near the water heater, which are typically located on the side of the house facing the street.
Having your plumbing systems professionally maintained and inspected can keep your systems running well and avoid costly issues. If you need help winterizing your home, call Classic Plumbing & Air at (217) 586-7473.