Plumbing Tips for Homes in Western Washington

Winter is coming. Is your home ready? Freezing temperatures can be hard on your plumbing, but a few simple steps can help protect it. As you prepare for the coming cold season, protect your home from frozen and burst pipes with these seven steps.

• 1. Fix Plumbing Leaks: Leaks add to wasted water and utility expenses year-round, and should the leaky area freeze in winter, the water will expand — increasing the size of the leak and the cost to repair it.
• 2. Keep a Dripping Faucet: If the temperature is forecast to dip below freezing, turn on a faucet with pipes running along an exterior wall for a slow drip. This keeps water flowing and prevents pressure from building up between the faucet and any ice formation.
• 3. Open Cabinets: Open the cabinets that hide your pipes, like those under your sinks, to allow more heat to reach them — particularly helpful for pipes along exterior walls.
• 4. Add Pipe Insulation: Wrap exposed pipes in your basement, along exterior walls, and outside your home in insulation tubes made from fiberglass or polyethylene.
• 5. Disconnect Any Outdoor Pipes: Loosen the hose and turn off the valve leading to the outdoor spigot, then store the hose indoors so it does not suffer damage over the winter.
• 6. Seal Off Your Crawl Space: Seal off crawl space vents with thick cardboard and duct tape to protect any pipes that run through it, and seal the access to prevent cold air from entering.
• 7. Drain Your Water Heater: Over time, hard water causes sediment buildup in the water heater. Drain it to remove some of the sediment; if the water coming out is rusted, consider a new water heater before it gets too cold.

Getting your home and plumbing ready for winter isn’t hard, but it does require a little attention. Consider partnering with our plumbers at Water Doctor of Washington — we’ve been serving Western Washington for over 25 years. Reach out for an estimate today; text or call 360.748.6393 to learn more about our plumbing winterizing services.