The winter season is known for bringing lots of joy and celebration but if you haven’t started preparing your home’s plumbing system for frigid temperatures, the season can also bring a lot of headaches and expensive repair bills. But with a little preparation—like scheduling a professional plumbing inspection and/or repair service for your home in Philadelphia—your plumbing system will work well all winter long.
Here are five simple maintenance tips that you should also consider when preparing your home’s plumbing system for the winter months.
Seal Any Gaps
Gaps near the areas where pipes enter your home are the biggest culprits for frozen pipes and heat loss. While gaps near pipe entrances form naturally over time, they should be filled with either weather stripping, caulking, or insulation to prevent cold air penetration. Not only will sealing gaps help protect your pipes from freezing, but it can also help reduce your utility bill.
Flush Your Water Heater
Colder temperatures mean more work for your water heater this winter. In order to help your water heater run as efficiently as possible, we recommend flushing its tank. When you flush the tank of your home’s water heater, you allow it to rid itself of sediment buildups that can block the proper heat transfer.
Protect Your Pipes
Frozen pipes are one of most common wintertime plumbing complaints. While you can’t control Mother Nature, you can give your home’s pipes a fighting chance by protecting them with insulation. Make sure you pay particular attention to the pipelines in the unheated areas of your home.
Check Your Sump Pump
If your sump pump is located outside, then it is at risk for direct exposure to extreme winter weather. To help keep your sump pump running smoothly all winter make sure it is adequately insulated and cleaned.
Schedule an Inspection
While it is always good for homeowners to inspect their plumbing systems on their own, we always recommend that you have your system inspected by a professional at least once a year. A professional inspection will allow you to pinpoint areas of concern and have them properly corrected before cold temperatures can make them worse.
At Hutchinson, we offer a full range of residential plumbing services that include in-depth inspections and routine maintenance. As one of the best and oldest plumbing companies serving Camden County, NJ, we have experience helping homeowners solve all of their plumbing issues. Give us a call today at 866-953-8728 to schedule your plumbing inspection!