Homeowner’s Guide to Protecting Your Plumbing

Plumbing maintenance can sometimes seem like a hassle, but it is necessary during certain times of the year to prevent plumbing problems in the future. For example, the fall and winter months can wreak havoc on your plumbing system if you’re not careful.

Here are a few simple precautions you should take if you want to protect your plumbing.

Protect your Pipes

First, if you’re planning on being out of the house for longer than a day, instead of turning your heat completely off, leave it set between 45 and 55 degrees. This will prevent your pipes from freezing in case the weather gets too cold. Frozen pipes will eventually burst and could cause serious water damage.

When the temperature outside drops below 20 degrees, water pipes in homes lacking insulation are likely to freeze and break. In fact, a one-eighth inch crack in a pipe can spew out more than 250 gallons of water per day, destroying furniture, floors, appliances and personal items, according to IBHS. If you’re really concerned, don’t hesitate to contact a plumber to assess your pipes and assist in the insulation process.

Protect your Water Heater

Another aspect of your home that needs proper protection during the winter months is your hot water heater. Whether you have a tankless water heater or a traditional model, when the temperature outside drops too low, water heaters have to work harder than usual. Taking some time in the early fall months to perform some routine maintenance is always a good idea. It will help keep your water heater in good working order and could prevent future issues.

If you have a tankless water heater, this won’t apply to you, but flushing out your hot water heater is best to do at this time of year. It’s a relatively simple process, but if you don’t feel quite comfortable doing it yourself, there’s no harm in calling a professional plumber. You can also turn up the temperature on your water heater, but it’s not recommended to set it above 125 degrees. This helps to prevent burns and unnecessary energy usage.

Further Assistance

These are just a few methods to keep in mind for protecting your home’s plumbing system during the winter months. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact the Delpo team and we will be glad to assist.