How do I Prepare my Plumbing for Winter?

Winter is almost here, and that means it’s time to start preparing your plumbing for the cold weather months ahead. If you’ve been putting off the annual maintenance and plumbing services your home needs, now is a great time to get it done! This will help prevent any unexpected problems this winter.

Here are some tips from Murray Electric & Plumbing to help you avoid plumbing problems this winter:

Clean out your drains and gutters

When leaves, pine needles, twigs, and other debris clog up your gutters, they can lead to a significant amount of water buildup on your roof. This is enough to cause damage in an area where there’s already moisture from rainwater collection. Make sure that gutters are clear of debris so that water can run freely away from the home.

Inspect your water heater and water heater pressure relief valve

These two plumbing services are critical for keeping your home warm during the cold months. To do this, you’ll want to check for leaks around the base of both items. If there are any leaks, replace them immediately so they don’t cause damage to surrounding areas or lead to mold growth inside the walls or ceilings of your home (which can trigger asthma attacks).

Check for leaks and drips

If you have a leaky faucet or toilet, now is a good time to fix it! Inspect all of your outdoor faucets for leaks and turn off any outdoor hoses that aren’t in use. If this is a plumbing service you aren’t sure about, call Murray Electric & Plumbing and let a professional plumber handle it for you!

Insulate exposed pipes

Pipes that are exposed to the cold outside air can freeze and burst during the winter months, causing major damage to your home. To keep this from happening, wrap exposed pipes with insulation or pipe covers before the weather gets too cold.

If you would like to learn more about how to avoid burst pipes this Winter season you can find more information here.

Store your garden hoses

It is not recommended to leave your garden hoses out during the winter months. Store them indoors in an area that stays warm so they don’t crack or burst when you go to use them again next summer.

Turn off any outdoor faucets

You should also turn off any exterior faucets that aren’t used year-round. This includes outside hoses and sprinklers. If you have an outdoor spigot near your house with water pressure, close it up with a valve that can be turned both ways (called “freeze-proof”). This will allow any remaining water to drain out of the pipe when the temperature drops below freezing so that it won’t freeze inside the pipe and bust open when temperatures rise again in the springtime.

Learn more here: Oklahoma City water utility offers tips for protecting pipes in freezing temperatures.

Use your water shut-off valve if you’ll be traveling

If you’re going away for an extended period of time, turn off the main water supply to your home or business. This will prevent any pipes from freezing and bursting when temperatures drop below freezing. If you have a backflow preventer, remember to open it before turning off the water supply.

For Plumbing Services in Broken Arrow, OK. Call Murray Electric & Plumbing

As you know, water is a precious commodity in the wintertime. That’s why we’ve created this list to help you prepare and ensure your plumbing is ready for the cold.

If you’re still not sure where to start, call Murray Electric & Plumbing in Broken Arrow, OK. for assistance. We’ll come out and check for leaks, make sure all fixtures are working properly and make any necessary plumbing repairs before winter weather arrives.