7 Steps to Winterizing Your Home This WInter

Save Yourself a Headache This Winter By Simply Following  These 7 Easy Steps

Many people don't realize how easily pipes can freeze in the winter.  Every winter, the District receives quite a few calls from people who wake up one morning to discover they don't have any water.  People are surprised to find that overnight their pipes froze, or worse, froze and then cracked.  Don't suffer the inconvenience and expense of frozen or broken pipes this winter by following these seven easy steps to winterize your home.

1. Insulate exposed pipes with insulation sleeves, wrapping or slip-on foam pipe insulation.  Do not leave any gaps without insulation as cold air can affect the pipe in these spaces.  Plastic piping is more tolerant of freezing than old copper or steel pipes.
2. Inspect the exterior of your property, making sure that all visible cracks around your home are sealed.  Cold air can enter through the cracks and once inside, it will cause your pipe to freeze.  If visible cracks are noticed, seal them using caulking or spray foam to fill the voids.
3. Maintain a heating source inside the building to protect pipes against cold.
4. It is a good idea to maintain a faucet dripping, on very cold nights, allowing the water to move freely and continuously to prevent freezing.
5. Don't forget your hose bibs.  Hose bibs are normally left unattended causing them to burst in the middle of the night.  Drain hose bibs and insulate with covers.  Once this has been completed, deactivate bibs at the shutoff valve if you are not planning on using them during the winter.
6. If you will not be using them, turn off and drain sprinkler and drip systems.
7. Keep your garage door closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.

If you have any questions at all, please contact us and we will be happy to help.