We often think about the plumbing inside our house, but what about outside of our home? Sure, chances are the outdoor parts of your home have fewer outdoor plumbing fixtures, but they are just as important. They often get overlooked until just before winter, when there’s an issue, or missed entirely. We want to ensure your outdoor plumbing is taken care of, though. Fall brings a few essential things to do to protect the integrity of your outdoor plumbing.
Outdoor Faucets
Outdoor faucets are one of the most prone to freezing, leading to more significant issues with the plumbing inside your house. Switching the water supply off and draining the pipe can prevent water from lying there and freezing. Covering the faucets with styrofoam for insulation also protects them. You can pick up foam faucet igloos at most hardware and home improvement stores.
Hoses
Proper storage of garden and garage hoses can help them last longer. By leaving water lay in them over winter, there can be prolonged damage done. Cracks and weak spots can form when the ice expands. Putting hoses indoors, or even inside the garage, can also help keep them from cracking.
Lawn Sprinkler Systems
To winterize your lawn sprinkler system, you want to ensure that all water is out of the lines, valves, rooters, and sprinkler heads. Essentially, the entire irrigation system will need to be fully drained to be sure no damage is done when the ground freezes.
Shut-Off Valves
If you are leaving home for an extended period of time, it’s a good idea to turn off your water shut-off valve, which is commonly located outside. After the valve has been turned to the off position, you should turn on all your faucets and showerheads to remove all the water from them. This prevents any unexpected frozen pipes that can lead to damage while you are gone.
Of course, with the change in season, it’s a good habit to check over all of your plumbing for any issues but caring for your outdoor plumbing is a top priority. Drain inspections are a great way to be sure your plumbing, inside and out, is ready for the dropping temps call Shakley Mechanical at 419-281-6909.