Remove, Drain and Store Garden Hoses
You want your garden hose to last another year, so it’s important that you properly stow it away. When the hose has been disconnected, drain the water and place it in an area of your home that will not reach freezing temperatures. Water that’s left over inside the hose can freeze and expand causing the hose to break!
Turn Off Your Hose Bibb
One of the most important tasks that you’ll need to do this season is to properly turn off your hose bibb and inside water supply line. If you noticed that your hose bibb was leaking this summer, we advise that you invest in a frost proof hose bibb before the first frost occurs. If a hose bibb isn’t properly turned off, water can freeze in the supply line, which can cause pipes to burst. To avoid any issues, give Roberts Plumbing a call today to complete any hose bibb installation or repair!
Insulate Exterior Hose Bibbs
Install Outside Foam Faucet Covers on all of your exterior hose bibbs. These covers will help protect your outdoor faucets from freezing in cold, windy weather conditions.
Insulate Your Pipes
Unheated areas, such as crawl spaces and garages, typically don’t have insulation around pipes, and leaving them exposed makes them prone to freezing. To combat this problem, use insulation, heat tape, or thermostat-controlled heat cables to keep them warm. This will prevent pipes from bursting and causing an expensive repair.
Get Your Water Heater Ready for the Workload
Winter temperatures often mean that you’re going to use your water heater more than any other time during the year. Because the water heater works overtime, you want to make sure it’s ready for the workload. If you haven’t serviced it since last year, it’s time to get a tune up or flush to ensure premium performance. You should also set the temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit to get optimal temperatures more quickly.
In addition, you may want to evaluate your need for a new water heater, as most only last 8 to 12 years. Let us recommend a replacement water heater for your home.
