Protect your home from the freeze

When cold weather hits, emergency calls to plumbers skyrocket. Why? Many homeowners neglect simple plumbing protection until it's too late. Do all you can to prevent frozen or burst pipes by keeping these guidelines in mind:

1. Plan ahead! Don't wait until the last minute to protect your plumbing--by then, it might be too late. Take steps to protect your pipes as soon as colder weather is in the forecast, at least several days in advance. 
2. Protect pipes where they enter your home. Close your foundation vents, and use simple insulation to prevent cold air from coming in. Don't forget to open the vents back up in the spring!
3. Detach all hoses and outside lines. It might seem like a simple thing, but many homeowners forget this vital step. Drain your water hoses and put them away in winter storage. Turn off or disconnect pipes to outdoor water sources, such as that water garden in the backyard.
4. Close off your outside faucets. Most homes have a separate valve for the outside faucets. Turn the valve off, then go outside and run all the water out of the faucets.
5. Can't drain outside faucets? Protect them! Molded foam covers are a great help, as well as fiberglass and plastic insulators. For a quick fix, even newspapers and old rags molded around the faucets and held in place with plastic and duct tape works.
6. Drain your sprinklers. Many homeowners forget about the sprinkler system, and that can lead to a plumbing nightmare. Check with the manufacturer to learn how to turn the system off.
7. Insulate pipes in unheated areas. Pipes in your basement, attic, crawlspace, and even exterior walls are vulnerable to the elements. Insulate them with molded pipe sleeves or insulating tape.
8. Open lower cabinet doors. It might not be the most attractive look, but keeping your cabinet doors open during the coldest weather allows more warm air to circulate around the pipes.
9. Run the water. When the temperature takes a serious dip, run a bit of cold water out of the tap. A steady drip or small stream of water helps keep the lines open and prevent freezing.
10. Make vacation plans for pipes. When you are leaving your home for several days, turn your water system off. Turn off the main valve and run every faucet until the pipes are drained. Don't forget to do this with your washer, too!

Mark.Elliott@YellowHatInspections.com                             www.yellowhatinspections.com