As the leaves begin to fall in Nanaimo, BC, it is clear that winter is just around the corner. Now is the ideal time to prepare your plumbing system to avoid the risk of frozen pipes or unexpected issues when temperatures drop. Ignoring plumbing maintenance can lead to property damage, burst pipes, and mold growth. To help you avoid these problems, here are eight essential tips to prepare your plumbing for winter.
1. Consider Pipe Insulation
Insulating your pipes is similar to insulating your walls; it helps retain heat and prevents freezing, which is crucial during the colder months. Proper insulation also ensures that hot water reaches your faucets without losing heat along the way. While pipe insulation is an investment, it can save you money on energy bills and help protect your plumbing from damage, minimizing the need for costly repairs.
Several types of plumbing insulation are available. Foam insulators, which slide directly onto your pipes, are one of the easiest options to install. Fiberglass provides a more robust insulation layer, while spray foam offers a secure and customized fit around your pipes, ensuring strong protection.
In addition to insulation, consider using heat tape, especially for pipes exposed to extremely cold temperatures. Heat tape incorporates an electrical heating cable and wraps around pipes, providing consistent warmth to prevent freezing. It protects plumbing in unheated areas like crawl spaces and can be a lifesaver during frigid temperatures by keeping water flowing and reducing the risk of burst pipes.
2. Take Care of Your Outdoor Plumbing
You likely have several faucets on your home’s exterior that you should address before the temperature outside starts to plummet. Water can freeze in these fixtures, causing damage to the spigots and your home. Remove all the hoses that you have hooked up. Make sure that you drain them and roll them up to prevent kinks before putting them away in your shed or garage until the spring.
Next, turn off the water to your outdoor faucets. Most pipes leading to outdoor fixtures have a valve you can turn off in your basement or crawl space. There is also usually a second valve between the shutoff and the exterior wall that you can use to drain the pipe. It can be helpful to have a bucket with you to catch the water before opening the drain valve.
You can provide additional insulation to your outdoor plumbing by caulking around the fixtures. It will also keep out pests and reduce heat loss from your home.
3. Monitor the Temperature of Your Home
Consider updating your HVAC system with a smart thermostat. Among many other benefits, they allow you to monitor your home’s temperature remotely using a smartphone app.
It is good practice to leave your heat on when away in the winter to prevent frozen pipes. However, whether your HVAC system malfunctions or you forget to change your thermostat settings, the ability to make changes remotely will give you peace of mind. An alert from the app can also prevent you from returning home to a plumbing disaster.
4. Prepare for an Extended Period Away From Home
If you’re going on vacation or a business trip and will be away from your home for an extended period, there are some additional steps you should take to prepare. This preparation includes shutting off the main water supply to your home. While this doesn’t necessarily prevent your pipes from freezing, it can minimize any damage that will occur if a pipe bursts.
Alternatively, you can leave one or more of your faucets on a very slight trickle. There doesn’t have to be a lot of water coming out, but that little bit of movement in the pipes will prevent water from freezing. You can also leave your vanities and cupboards open where plumbing is installed. This helps warm air reach your pipes to prevent freezing.
5. Prevention During a Cold Snap
There are times when the temperature drops very low in the Nanaimo area. When this happens, you’ll want to act. Keep your thermostat at a higher overnight temperature than normal to prevent any periods of time when your plumbing system could be exposed to the cold. You may also want to utilize space heaters near areas where your plumbing system is located. Just make sure that you’re monitoring them, as they can pose a fire hazard.
6. Install Water Alarms
Water alarms are cost-effective devices designed to detect leaks early, helping you prevent water damage. They are about the size of a smoke detector and you can install them in high-risk areas such as under sinks, near water heaters, around washing machines, or in basements where leaks are more likely to occur. Many smart water alarms can send alerts directly to your smartphone, ensuring you’re immediately notified of any issues, even when you’re away from home.
7. Check Your Sump Pump
Winters in Nanaimo mean heavy snowfall. When that snow melts, it can cause significant water accumulation around your home’s foundation. Your sump pump plays a critical role in preventing basement flooding by pumping excess water away from your house. To prepare for winter, inspect your sump pump to ensure it’s in good working order.
Check for any debris in the pit that could clog the pump and test it by pouring water into the basin to see if it activates properly. You should also make sure the discharge line is clear and directs water away from your home. If there are any issues, contact a qualified plumber. Repairing your sump pump in the fall can prevent flooding and water damage during winter thaws and keep your basement dry and protected.
8. Service Your Water Heater
Your water heater is a crucial component of your plumbing system, especially during the colder months. Inspecting and servicing it before winter ensures you have hot water when temperatures drop. A sudden loss of hot water will disrupt your family’s daily routine because no one wants to take a cold shower in winter. In addition, warm water circulating through your plumbing during frigid weather helps prevent frozen pipes, especially in colder areas of your home, like basements and crawl spaces.
Routine water heater maintenance includes draining the tank and inspecting it for wear. A professional will also clear out sediment and mineral deposits, making your hot water system more efficient. This process also allows them to evaluate whether your water heater is nearing the end of its lifespan. If you need a new water heater, scheduling a replacement for the fall will prevent hot water disruptions once winter hits.
Contact the Plumbing Pros
At Twin Peaks Plumbing, Heating & Gas, we have been serving the residents of Nanaimo, BC and the surrounding areas for years. We install, maintain, and repair heating and cooling systems, including heat pumps and mini-splits. Additionally, we offer plumbing services such as drain cleaning, repiping, and leak detection. You can also count on us for all your indoor air quality needs. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced team members. We offer 24/7 emergency plumbing for those repairs that happen after hours!
