Are you a home owner looking to get yourself prepared for the winter season?  Do you dread the thought of waking up in the morning to frozen pipes?  If so, you aren’t alone.  As a new or as a seasoned home owner, dealing with frozen pipes is never much fun. However, there are ways to minimize your chances of having to deal with frozen pipes and there are simple measures you can take to ensure that your home remains safe and warm even when the temperatures dip.

At Barner Murphy we know that you want your family to be safe and warm when winter rolls in.  Our dedicated team is here to help you with nay of the home winterization tips that you decide to implement. Hundreds of families all over the country have to deal with frozen pipes at some point, but most of the time this situation can easily be avoided.  Rapid drops in temperature, poor insulation and thermostats that are not set high enough can all contribute to a situation that results in frozen pipes.  By taking a few precautions, you can minimize your chances of having to deal with the hassle and the headache of frozen pipes in the dead of winter.

Insulating your pipes is one of the best ways to decrease your chances of having frozen pipes.  You can insulate any visible areas, and even insulate those spaces that you don’t typically see, such as crawl spaces or attic spaces.  Any exposed pipes are susceptible to becoming frozen.  One tip is to remember that the more insulation you can use, the less likely your chances are of having to deal with frozen pipes.  Some people like to use heat tape or thermostatically controlled heat cables.  You can simply follow the instructions and do the insulation yourself, or call Barner Murphy and have one of our experts come out to assist you.

Winter plumbing doesn’t have to be a hassle if you adhere to these suggestions.  Sealing leaks is a good idea, too.  Make sure that you check around any spaces where cold air can seep in, such as electrical wiring areas, dryer vents, and piping.  You can use caulk or insulation to keep the cold air away from these susceptible spaces.  Another helpful winter plumbing tip is to make sure that you disconnect all garden hoses and use an indoor valve if possible to turn off the water supply that leads outside.  This will minimize your chances of having to deal with frozen pipes.  
 

Every home owner knows that preparing your home for winter is critically important to both safety and comfort.  If you are a first-time home owner, it might seem like a lot of work in the beginning, yet with the right preparation you’ll be on your way to a winterized home that is both safe and efficient for you and your family.  If at any point you feel like you need the voice of an expert, the crew at Barner Murphy is here to help with advice and suggestions.

One of the first ways that you can work to prepare your home for winter is by making sure to avoid frozen pipes.  It’s important to keep an eye on your water pressure this time of year since the first sign of frozen pipes is usually restricted water flow from one of the faucets inside your home.  It’s important to make sure that if you do notice restricted water flow that you call on someone to help remedy the issue.  At Barner Murphy, we’re here to help make sure that frozen pipes aren’t a headache that you need to deal with.

Another winter plumbing tip is to turn on the water in your faucet and let it trickle at night.  Allowing your water to trickle out at night, when the temperature is coldest, allows you to help keep the water in motion.  This eliminates the chances of the water actually freezing, and you don’t have to worry about frozen pipes.  Another quick tip along the same lines is to disconnect your garden hoses that might still be connected outside.  Disconnecting garden hoses helps decrease the chances of ice forming and pressure building up inside your home’s water line. 

Another winterizing plumbing tip is to make use of the shut-off valves that are located inside your home.  Doing so helps to drain the water from pipes that lead to outdoor hose bibs.  These valves are typically found underneath sinks. In crawl spaces or basements, or near your water heater or meter.  Take some time to get familiarized with these valves before the dead of winter hits so that you can handle the preparation without feeling pressured to do so when you’re least expecting it.  At Barner Murphy we can assist with any of your winter plumbing needs.  By following these tips you’ll be more prepared for winter than ever, and ready to meet Jack Frost head on.