Yet another year has come and gone, and it is time for the cold once again. Winterizing your plumbing system before the onset of winter is very important. You will save money on plumbing repairs and pipe system replacements in the future as a result. The general rule is to be safe rather than sorry.
Before the winter comes, here are some suggestions for getting your plumbing system ready:
Exterior Inspection
The first step is to take a round route around your home. While looking for any fractures and repairing them with spray foam or caulk as required, the aim is to identify any fissures and fill them with either spray foam or caulk. Because winter is a cold season, this material will help protect your pipes from the weather. This is why you can tell whether or not repairs are needed just by looking at the home’s exterior.
Leakage Spotting
It is essential to first check for any leaks that may have occurred in your plumbing system before winterizing it. Your best option is to use the services of a skilled professional so that the leaks will be fixed promptly. Sometimes, leakage may occur because your tank for hot or called water is at maxed capacity. In which case, you should invest in a reliable water buffer tank.
It is also essential that you keep an eye out for animals or insects around your house since even the tiniest of them may cause your plumbing system to fail when the temperature goes below a particular threshold.
Water expands as it becomes colder, and it causes weak spots to collapse because of leaks when it gets to that temperature. Other issues to keep in mind are that they’re difficult to work with and may also be costly to repair and replace when they do happen. Once you’ve noticed any leaks, you will have a level of the piece of mind and have saved yourself a substantial amount of time and money.
Boiler Check
Check your boiler since you may have some of the most frequent kinds of damage; for example, take leaks. In a boiler leak, a pressure valve or pump seal or other internal components are virtually frequently used. If the leak comes from the pressure relief valve, your system likely has excessive pressure. If a pump seal issue causes the leak, the seal may be worn out.
Corrosion may be the cause of a leak around your system’s pipes. There may be an issue with the way your system has been set up. We suggest that you seek the help of a competent engineer to help you discover and solve this problem. Your expert may suggest that you replace your boiler if a significant issue causes the leak. Fortunately, professional boiler breakdown services are always available.
Pipe Insulation
You may start applying insulation to your pipes as early as the autumn, long before temperatures begin to decrease. Consequently, your system will be less and less likely to freeze and burst like a bubble during the cold. Even the wrapping or covering with insulating foam is not sufficient to keep the pipes warm.
Heat cables should be placed along the pipes to protect them from cold air and freezing temperatures. Because insulation materials are not designed to withstand prolonged cold, you must ensure that warm air can reach the pipes.
Furnace and HVAC Maintenance
Examine your furnace or HVAC system. Avoid expensive and time-consuming problems by doing a preventive maintenance check. You may check the furnace and its related devices’ safeties during this process. You may clean the burner and inspect the heat exchanger at the same time. You can ensure that your HVAC unit continues to function effectively by testing and tightening the electrical components, lubricating the motor, and inspecting the belts. You may need to replace the air filters and re-calibrate the thermostat if you have a central air conditioner at some point.
Again, it bears to stress that if you are not experienced with these systems, it’s better to call in professionals for help because they have the training, skills, tools, and equipment to do the job better. In addition, you can save yourself time and effort while making sure that your furnace and HVAC system is in good hands.
Preventative procedures are more straightforward and less expensive than full-blown repairs, so use them on your plumbing system. This is important since you want to ensure that you have clean water throughout the cold months. Slacking on maintenance may lead to excessive energy costs and illness risks for you and your family. Aside from that, preparation for winter is the first step toward enjoyment. In other words, winterize your plumbing system before it gets colder.
