Frozen pipes are not something most Georgia homeowners have to think about very often; however when Mother Nature decides to throw a curve ball our way and send sub freezing temperatures, frozen pipes can quickly become a real threat. Smart homeowners can use the following tips to help prevent pipe freezing problems that can lead to a costly pipe burst emergency. In the case of inclement weather, an ounce of prevention is well worthwhile. It’s easy to prevent costly winter time plumbing emergencies with a few easy steps.
Work from the outside in by preparing the outside of your home for winter weather. Start by turning off the water to your exterior hose spigots. If you can’t find the water shut off, or don’t have one for the outside hose bibs you can insulate the exposed piping and hose spigots. It’s a good idea to remove and store your garden hoses for the winter. Heat tape is a good insulator for any exposed piping or pipes that are housed in cold areas of your home such as the attic, garage or pipes on the outside walls.
If the weather man predicts weather dropping below 25 degrees F, you should turn all faucets on a slow drip. For vacation homes, rental homes or homes that are unoccupied, the main water line should be turned off. Be sure to leave all faucets turned on / open so dripping can occur. Another great way to avoid freezing pipes in your home is pouring antifreeze in toilets and drains. The recommended amount of antifreeze is 1 cup for sink drains and 3 cups for shower drains and toilets.
Many homeowners don’t think about their irrigation system come winter time. Prepare your system for winter by first turning the controller unit OFF. If you can turn the water to the irrigation system off, that’s even better as most landscape irrigation pipes are not buried very deep and can freeze easily. We hope these simple tips help you avoid any unforeseen plumbing dilemmas this winter season.
