Winters can get downright frigid in New York which is why you’ll need to do some winterizing if you take a holiday trip, go to the Sunbelt for the winter, or are away from home for more than a few days. If you have a second home in the area that doesn’t get used in the winter, you’ll also need to prep its plumbing system. Follow these tips for winterizing your house’s plumbing system.
Turn Off the Water
Locate the main water supply, and turn it off. Next, turn off the water pump. If you have a water heater, turn it off as well. If you’re not sure of how to turn off the water supply or you can’t get it to shut off, our plumbers can help.
Drain All the Water
You need to drain all the water in the fixtures. If your home gets too cold, any water left in the pipes or water heater could freeze. When water freezes into ice, it expands and exerts pressure. That’s what causes bursting pipes. You’ll need to drain the water heater. Flush the toilet several times to drain its tank. Open all the water taps and spigots, and leave them open until all water has drained.
Add Antifreeze
Add some antifreeze to your toilet bowl. This will prevent any leftover water from freezing and cracking the tank. Pour about one quart of antifreeze down each sink or drain, including showers and bathtubs.
Insulate and Caulk
Identify pipes around the perimeter walls of your house. These are the pipes with the highest risk of freezing and bursting. Insulate them as well. Look for small gaps and cracks around flue openings, vents, and other electrical and plumbing lines between your property and the outdoors. Caulk them to reduce air exchange.
Fix-A-Leak Plumbing and Heating Inc. is a trusted provider of winterizing services in Hauppauge, NY. We also offer reliable water heater, drain cleaning, sewer line, and plumbing services. Our thermostat can keep your home comfortable all year. For more information about how to winterize your house’s plumbing system, get in touch with us at Fix-A-Leak Plumbing and Heating Inc. today.
