Most people know that a hard winter can cause pipes to freeze and break. However, that’s not often something people think about here in California. After all, our state is known for its beaches and sunny weather, so can winter really be that harsh on your plumbing? The truth is winter can still take its toll, even if you never see snow where you live. Keep reading to get tips on properly preparing your plumbing for a Northern California winter from a plumbing contractor in Sacramento.
Have Your Gutters Cleaned
It’s a good idea to clean your gutters or have a professional do so for you, even if you’re not currently experiencing frequent clogs in your home. Northern California can get heavy rains during the winter, which can cause more leaves, dirt, and other debris to be clogged in your gutters. This increases the risk of gutter backups occurring. Cleaning out your gutters now makes it less likely that such a backup would cause debris to pile up and could potentially cause your roof to leak in places
Insulate Your Pipes
While it’s true that below-freezing temperatures aren’t incredibly common during California winters, they certainly do occur, especially in the northern part of the state. You should prepare any exposed pipes for those eventual freezes by properly insulating them against freezing temperatures. A simple pipe insulation can provide your pipes with the protection they need.
When water sits in pipes and is exposed to freezing temperatures, the water can turn to ice, expanding within the pipe and putting pressure on the pipe wall. This can cause the pipe to crack or completely burst in many cases. If the pipe is a water supply line that hasn’t been shut off for the winter, this can lead to devastating water damage on your property. So, though you might think the odds of your pipes freezing are low, insulating those pipes could save you thousands of dollars worth of water damage this winter.
Have Your Plumbing Inspected
The best way to keep your plumbing in tip-top shape is to simply have your plumbing inspected as soon as winter sets in. Your plumber can look for any weak points that might need to be repaired or replaced to avoid a future rupture in your line.
If you’re hosting family for one of the winter holidays, you’ll likely be putting a lot more demand on both your water supply lines and your sewage line. Additionally, many homes put increased strain on their plumbing during the holidays. Having all of your plumbing inspected before guests arrive can help ensure that all of those pipes are up to the task. You can patch up any small leaks before they get worse, tighten loose connections, and snake out obstructions to avoid clogging issues when all the guests are in town. This can save you a lot of headaches down the road.
In addition, you should also be keeping the home at a minimum temperature of 55 degrees. This does two things: first, it will prevent any pipes within the thermal footprint of the house from freezing, and second, in the event of a burst pipe, most insurance carriers might decline coverage if that minimum temperature wasn’t maintained.
Another important and useful tip: if traveling or away from home for a weekend during a cold snap, turn off the water and drain the pressure. Simply turning off the water leaves water in the pipes, which can freeze. This is commonly done in colder climates and is an easy preventative step for those in warmer climates experiencing colder than usual temperatures.
Contact a Reliable Plumber Today
Winter is already here, and if you haven’t taken the steps outlined above to prepare your plumbing, the best time to start working on them is right now. Contact Bullseye Leak Detection today, and one of our experienced plumbers will stop by to thoroughly inspect your plumbing. We’re experts in all types of plumbing repairs, from leak detection and water heater replacement to repiping and slab repair in Sacramento. If you need any kind of repairs, we’re able to provide those services as well. Call now to schedule your inspection and ensure your plumbing is prepared to weather the rest of winter.