Tips on Winterizing your Plumbing

The term “winter wonderland” is synonymous with the colder months. Still, for many homeowners this season is no walk in the park. They must take extra care to ensure their home is ready for the cold weather, snow, and ice. This includes keeping the plumbing up to shape to handle possible freezing and other damage. Below are a few ways homeowners may thwart the negative effects of the winter for their plumbing.

First up, one should look at their kitchen. There are various methods to ensure the kitchen’s plumbing is kept up to shape in the winter. For one, homeowners should avoid pouring oils down their drain. The liquid fats can solidify within the piping, causing clogs and other nuisances. Also, one should avoid putting large items prone to stick inside their garbage disposal. This includes the waste from poultry and fruit skins such as banana peels, carrots, celery, or the interior of a pumpkin.

In order to get the most out of the kitchen plumbing, homeowners should take the following steps:

First off, run cold water down the drain for about 15 seconds before and after it is used, to flush excess waste down the pipes. Also, the garbage disposal should be turned on before putting any food debris down the tube. And finally, in order to properly conserve hot water, one should only use their dishwater at night or when nobody is in the home.

Next up is the bathroom. Hot water is important in the winter, so one should make sure to keep the water system running smooth. By turning up the temperature on the water heater, one can take a major step towards keeping hot water for longer. Also, homeowners should space out their showers throughout the day. One should wait at least 10 minutes in between showers to give water time to reheat. There is also a winter solution for water pressure. You can put a bag of vinegar over your shower head overnight. After removing the bag in the morning, remove excess mineral buildup. This will restore your water pressure.

In order to prevent frozen pipes, you should understand their location and where the pipes are installed. If you live in a particularly cold area during the winter, you need to make sure your pipes are installed along insulated areas, and not attics or garages. Although you should not waste water, leaving a faucet to drip in the winter can help to prevent pipes from bursting.

In all, winter brings with it much to love and much to protect against. Homeowners must take the proper measures to keep their plumbing running smooth during time of the year. For help with your plumbing needs, contact the trusted team at Mattioni Plumbing.