Home Winterization For Lafayette, Indiana
Home winterization is a something all homeowners can benefit from in the lead-up to the coldest months of the year. Yet, far too many decide it’s not worth the hassle and decide to go without. If this term is new to you, what it essentially means is implementing adaptations to your home to protect your plumbing from cold weather. Temperature fluctuations and frozen water can cause more damage over time than we realize, and if we’re not careful, that could mean flooding and property damage. Simple steps to insulate pipes, regulate the water flow, and check the condition of your plumbing can pay off. Here’s why it’s time to find professional plumbers to winterize my home for the best results- Anderson Plumbing. Contact us today at (765) 414-2080 for your home winterization needs.
How Does Winterizing Your Plumbing Help To Protect Your Home?
The big question for homeowners here is, why bother? Why go to all the trouble and expense of getting a home kitted out for winter when there’s no guarantee that a home will be worse off without it? The answer lies in whether you’re willing to take that gamble. Protective measures can prevent your plumbing from becoming susceptible to damage from temperature changes and frozen water. Fluctuations in temperature can cause materials to expand and contract, weakening them over time and making them prone to leaks and long-term damage. Here are some of the many ways you can turn to plumbing winterization techniques to reduce these risks.
Winterizing Family Homes
The first step in any family home is to check for leaks. You’ll want to get those fixed before winter comes so they don’t get any worse. Then, you can look into insulating the pipes. Get them wrapped up to keep them at a more consistent temperature and avoid problems. Heat tape also works. There’s also advice to leave faucets dripping to maintain water flow and stop pressure building up, although this may be annoying and could affect your water bills. Finally, you need to know where the water valve is in case the worst happens.
Winterizing Vacant Homes
Knowing how to properly winterize a home is also important if you have uninhabited properties. Perhaps you plan to vacate your family home and head south for winter to avoid the storms. Make sure you carry out full maintenance on your plumbing before you leave. This includes the pipes and drains. Setting up that dripping faucet might not be necessary, but added insulation will definitely pay off. You can also leave cupboard doors open under sinks to let warm air in.
What Happens If I Don’t Winterize My Home?
Home winterization is all about keeping your home safe throughout the winter months when cold temperatures could otherwise cause major problems. The steps mentioned above can help prevent serious damage as long as you are proactive. Here are some of the potential risks associated with unprotected plumbing and the damage they can cause.
Cracked Pipes and Leaks
Ongoing pressure on the structure of pipes can cause it to weaken over time. Small cracks can form in the pipes as they contract and expand or become frozen in extreme cold. The impact may not seem that bad if there’s just a small drip, but it’s only going to get worse without intervention. That’s why it’s so important to check your plumbing’s condition while winterizing your home.
Burst Pipes and Floods
Substantial problems with extreme temperature fluctuations and weakened pipes can also lead to the pipes bursting. The movement of the pipe could weaken the connecting joints as it shifts out of place, leading to an opening where water can rush through. Or, the minor crack causing a leak could split further. These floods should be more visible and audible as you notice changes in water flow and see the water escaping through the ceiling and onto the floor. This is where that advice about finding your shut-off value pays off.
Structural Damage
Whether you have an ongoing leak with gradual effects on the home or a sudden flood, you run the risk of some significant property damage. Leaks that drip away behind a wall can seep into the plaster or any wooden structures and cause weakness. Floods that penetrate floors and ceilings can be so severe that they may require serious remodeling work.
Damaged Possessions
A flood from a burst pipe also means there’s a serious risk of damage to possessions. This may be more superficial than structural damage to the property and may still be covered by insurance, but there’s the sentimental value involved. You don’t want to have to throw away treasured objects or replace expensive tech because you ignored the risks of frozen pipes.
Mold Growth
A bigger hazard associated with these burst pipes and floods is mold growth. Any area of the home that gets damp and stays that way for long periods is susceptible to mold. What starts as small spores of mildew in a damp bathroom can turn into large patches of black mold over time. What makes it worse is it often grows unseen behind walls, ceilings, and floorboards. It could end up causing health issues without you realizing it.
Clogged Drains
Drainage issues are a factor that you might not consider when focusing so much on the condition of the pipes themselves and the flow of water. However, the cold temperatures can make it easier for grease and fats to congeal inside drainage systems and cause serious issues. If you’ve ever heard about “fatbergs” in sewers, you know how bad they can get. A small blockage obstructing the flow of water on your property is something you want to avoid. So, get them cleaned out before winter.
Noisy Pipes
Those fluctuations in temperature and the impact on the pipes don’t just lead to visual signs of water damage and leaks. There’s also a good chance that you’ll hear some strange noises emanating from your plumbing too. Plumbing noises can vary depending on the issue. When frozen water thaws, you’ll get an unsettling trickling sound through the pipes. Pipes contracting and expanding can echo in enclosed spaces or bash against connecting pipes. Either way, it’s annoying.
Water Pressure Issues
Finally, there’s the risk of some water pressure issues if you allow your pipes to get too cold in the winter. Low water pressure isn’t going to cause the damage you get with leaks and burst pipes, but it’s still a nuisance. Low water pressure can make it difficult to get the intensity you need when getting a nice hot shower. It can also lead to performance issues in appliances.
Why Choose Anderson Plumbing For Home Winterization?
With so much to consider when you say I’m going to winterize my home for the season ahead, it’s important to call on professional help. There may be quick fixes and hacks online about insulating pipes yourself, but it’s always best to get an expert to handle the problem. That way, you can be sure they will use the right insulating materials and secure them correctly without any risk of further damage or complications. While they are there assessing your plumbing for insulation, they can also check out the condition of your plumbing and fix any issues. This could be a small crack in a pipe running to the bathroom sink or a fault with an inlet to an appliance. The more comprehensive the service, the easier it will be to enjoy winter with peace of mind.
The best home winterization service providers have years of experience setting up winter protection for home plumbing and know exactly how to deal with any issue they find. They will be thorough and courteous enough to make sure everything is checked and dealt with to the best of their ability. You can check out their service pages online to see their areas of expertise and look for reviews from happy clients online. Those glowing reviews should also talk about the friendly team members, the great customer service, and the fair price quoted for the work. You don’t want someone who’ll do it too cheap and cut corners with the insulation, but you don’t want it to cost a fortune either.
Dealing With Damaged Waterline Repairs In Winter
While expert plumbers will do all they can to protect your home and give it the best chance possible over winter, there is never a 100% guarantee that problems won’t arise. We can’t predict just how cold the season will get or if there will be other circumstances affecting the flow of water into the home. When problems do arise, whether it’s a crack in the pipe, some serious water pressure issues, or an appliance issue, you can call on Anderson Plumbing, your plumbing experts for help. It is possible to minimize the impact of a damaged waterline with some plumber’s putty or tape, but it’s always best to get the professionals in for the final repairs.
So, if you’re looking around your home wondering how well it would hold up, it’s time to say I’m going to winterize my home. Contact us today at (765) 414-2080 for Lafayette, IN home winterization or frozen waterline repair and get your home prepped for the season ahead.