People expect the holiday season to be a period of fun and relaxation. When scheduling the work parties, ugly sweater parties, and cookie parties, you probably don’t budget for time to spend on plumbing problems.
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Unfortunately, plumbing problems may arise during the holiday season when you least expect them. The combination of extra guests, festivities, and cold weather creates the perfect storm for an overworked plumbing system that can put quite a damper on the holiday spirit.
Luckily, there are some simple things that you can do to prepare your plumbing for the holiday season:
Seal up Your Home
The tiny cracks in your walls and around your doors and windows are often ignored, but they can wreak havoc on your plumbing. What most homeowners don’t understand is that those tiny cracks let cold air into the house which can negatively affect their pipes. Frozen pipes are a real problem that can result in cracked or burst plumbing down the line. Protect your pipes by filling up the cracks in your home with caulk or spray insulation to prevent cold air from entering in the first place.
Insulate, Insulate, Insulate
In cold weather, water supply pipes that are exposed to outside walls or unheated spaces may freeze and burst. The result will be a flooded house and untold amounts of damage. Make sure to insulate your pipes to keep them from freezing and putting a massive damper on your holiday.
In addition to insulating your pipes, you’ll also need to protect your hot water heater. You’ll most likely be using more hot water during winter, but your water heater may not be able to keep up with the demand. Water heaters have a hard time retaining heat at the best of times, especially when they’re located in an exposed area. Protect your water heater from the cold by insulating it to make sure that there will be enough hot water when you need it.
Check the Sump Pump
If you have a basement, flooding can be a serious problem during winter. Make sure to test your sump pump during the fall so that you can make any necessary repairs before winter hits.
Shut off the Water Supply
Once you remove your hoses and store them away, you should also shut off the water supply line outdoors. This will stop water from entering from the outdoor pipes, and it will prevent freezing, bursting, and leaking.
Once you do what it takes to keep your plumbing system functioning well throughout winter, you’ll have greater peace of mind to enjoy your holiday season to the fullest.