Pro TIps
Winterizing Your Pipes in Pittsburgh
While the weather certainly doesn’t feel like it’s ever going to get cold again, we know it will. As autumn approaches, it’s time to start thinking about protecting your home before the first big freeze.
Winterizing your pipes is an essential part of maintenance for your pipes and the prep is pretty simple.
Why should I winterize my pipes?
In Pittsburgh, we have a rough freeze-thaw cycle. Our temperatures range greatly (even in one day) and that puts stress on your pipes. Many homes in Pittsburgh were built decades and decades ago. Pipes are original to the home and basements and garages can lack the proper insulation to protect your pipes.
Not all of the pipes in your home are likely to freeze, but the ones that need the most attention are pipes that run along exterior walls; pipes in unheated spaces like basements, garages, attics or crawl spaces; outdoor spigots and outdoor faucet lines; and pipes that run under your bathroom or kitchen sink that also run along an exterior wall.
How can I prepare my pipes for winter?
- Disconnect your outside garden hose and drain it. If water is trapped in the line, it can freeze and split.
- Shut off any outdoor faucet lines or spigots. Your home should have a place indoors to shut off just the outdoor lines. Do this and drain the pipes. If you aren’t sure where to find this valve, give us a call.
- If you have pipes that are exposed, insulate them. You can get foam pipe sleeves at your local hardware store. Focus on the exterior wall pipes first.
- Seal any gaps around where pipes are entering your home. You can use caulk or spray foam.
One of the most important elements is knowing where the main shutoff valve in your home is for all your water. If a pipe would burst, getting to this and getting the water turned off immediately is going to save your home major flooding.
When it’s really cold outside:
- let your faucets drip very slowly to keep water flowing
- open cabinet doors and let warm air from your home reach pipes under your sinks
- keep your indoor temperature steady
Watch for signs of an issue and give us a call if you notice frost on your pipes, odd smells or low water pressure. If a pipe has already frozen or burst, shut your water off and call a professional.
At Terry’s Plumbing, we answer the phone 24/7 and are always available to help you with your plumbing needs. Call us at 412-364-9114 or reach out on our website anytime.