Although it’s not technically wintering until the middle of December, the ice, snow, and freezing winds are upon us. While you’re bundling up to protect yourself from the elements, don’t forget that your house, particularly your plumbing system, needs to be prepared for the winter as well! 

At Barner Murphy, we want to remind you to winter-proof your house and your plumbing ahead of time so you don’t have a plumbing disaster. If you have any trouble winterizing your plumbing in Bucks County, don’t hesitate to contact Barner Murphy.

1. Insulate Your Pipes

Perhaps the most important winterization step is to properly insulate your pipes. As temperatures approach 20 degrees, your pipes are at great risk of freezing, which can lead to them bursting. Not only are pipe repairs expensive, but there’s also the cost of water damage cleanup.

Insulation for your pipes as well as the tools to install it can be found at any local hardware, home improvement, or plumbing supply store. You’ll want to grab polyethylene or fiberglass insulation.

Make sure you measure the diameter of your pipes beforehand so you get the right size insulation.

2. Seal Off Your Crawl Space

Crawlspaces under your home put your pipes at risk of freezing. You’ll want to seal yours to protect against the cold weather. 

To do this, cut heavy-duty pieces of cardboard to fit the vents. Use duct tape to attach the cardboard; make sure there aren’t any cracks around the cardboard for air to slip out.

On top of that, seal off access to the crawlspace. This might sound like a tedious task, but it will further ensure you don’t end up with a costly frozen/burst pipe problem.

3. Check For and Seal Cracks

Cold air can seep in through cracks in your walls and foundation, possibly freezing your pipes. Scan for any cracks or holes on your outside walls and foundation, then seal each one with caulk and spray foam insulation to keep the cold air away from your pipes.

As an added benefit, less heat from your HVAC system will leak from inside your house to the outside, saving you money on your heating bill.

4. Disconnect and Store Garden Hoses

Outside your house, you’ll want to disconnect your garden hoses and store them somewhere safe and warm. If you fail to do this, your pipes will freeze and burst.

If your home has a separate external faucet shut-off, turn it off and drain the water out of your external faucets.

5. Turn Off and Drain Your Sprinkler System

Still outside, you’ll want to turn off and drain your sprinkler system too. There may be leftover water in the underground lines in your sprinkler system - in this case, you’ll want to call in a professional to blow the water out, otherwise, that water could freeze and cause damage.

6. Never Turn Off Your Heat When You Leave Home

Back inside, never turn your heat off during the winter when you’re away from home. It could get cold enough inside to damage pipes. Instead, set your thermostat to 55 degrees to ensure safety while minimizing your heating bill.

If your house has several heat zones, do this for each zone’s thermostat.

Winterize Your Home Before Winter Hits

While most of these tasks can be DIY-ed, they take some time and clever handiwork. Call Barner Murphy if you want your home winterized by professionals this winter.