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William Archer

Hey there! Winter is just around the corner, and while we’re all looking forward to cozy nights and hot cocoa, it’s also a time when freezing temperatures can put your plumbing at risk. Here at William Archer & Sons Plumbing, we’ve seen how quickly a winter chill can turn into a plumbing nightmare. The water left in your pipes can freeze when temperatures drop, causing them to burst, and that can lead to some pretty expensive damage. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with some simple tips to help you keep your pipes safe all winter long!

Shut Off Your Outdoor Faucets

One of the easiest ways to protect your pipes from freezing is by shutting off your outdoor faucets. Here’s what we recommend:

  • Turn off the shutoff valves: Find the shutoff valves for your outdoor faucets and turn them off. This will stop water flow, so there’s less chance of freezing.
  • Drain any leftover water: After turning off the valve, open the faucet’s bleed cap to drain any residual water.
  • Keep faucets off for the season: If you don’t need those faucets, leave them turned off until spring. If you do, just remember to turn them off again when the cold hits.

Insulate Any Exposed Fixtures

Protecting exposed faucets, spigots, and pipes is crucial to keeping them warm and ice-free.

  • Check around your home: Take a look outside and in those chilly parts of your house—crawl spaces, basements, and attics.
  • Use insulation products: Faucet covers, foam pipe covers, and pipe wrap tape are great ways to insulate your fixtures. If a sudden cold snap catches you off guard, use whatever you’ve got on hand, like rags, towels, or even old newspapers, to wrap up your pipes.

Keep a Steady Indoor Temperature

We know you want to save on your heating bill, but keeping your home too cold can cost you in the long run.

  • Set your thermostat to 60°F or above: Maintaining a steady indoor temperature, even when you’re out, helps prevent your pipes from freezing. Yes, it might mean a slightly higher heating bill, but it’s cheaper than fixing a burst pipe!

More Quick Tips to Protect Your Pipes

Here are a few more handy tips to keep your plumbing safe this winter:

  • Keep cabinets open: If you have plumbing under your sinks, open those cabinet doors to let warm air in.
  • Let faucets drip: Running your faucets at a slow drip when it’s freezing outside helps keep water moving and prevents it from freezing.
  • Disconnect hoses: If you’ve left hoses attached to outdoor faucets, remove them, drain any remaining water, and cover the faucets for winter.

Conclusion

Winter can be tough on your plumbing, but with a little preparation, you can avoid major headaches. By following these simple steps—shutting off outdoor faucets, insulating exposed fixtures, maintaining a steady indoor temperature, and taking extra precautions like letting faucets drip and disconnecting hoses—you’ll help keep your pipes in tip-top shape all winter long.

Don’t leave your plumbing to chance this winter! If you have any concerns or need help winterizing your pipes, give William Archer & Sons Plumbing a call. We’re here to help you stay warm and worry-free!

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