It’s not too late to winterize your residential plumbing system!
Although northern Utah is known for its dry summers, our area is also known for receiving extremely harsh winters that include snowstorm after snowstorm between November and April.
While the temperatures tend to be somewhat warmer along the valley floor as compared to the upper reaches of our famous Cottonwood Canyons, there have been countless instances in which temperature have plunged well below zero in places like Salt Lake City!
This means that homeowners need to take many different precautions when it comes to winterizing their residential plumbing systems—even if you live at a relatively lower elevation.
When pipes freeze, they can easily burst and create substantial structural damages to any property—which then leads to expensive repair projects. Below is a checklist that homeowners should keep in mind while they’re preparing their plumbing systems for winter in northern Utah!
Insulating Your Pipes
Pipe insulation is particularly important for the unheated areas of your home, including your attic and crawl spaces. A lot of homeowners forget to double-check these areas during the fall and early-winter months, so it’s crucial that you make sure that these susceptible pipes are protected throughout this winter season.
The good news is that insulating your pipes is typically very straightforward and can easily be a DIY project, and you can purchase foam insulation at just about any hardware store in your area.
Dripping Your Faucets
This is an important tip to keep in mind when you know an extreme winter weather advisory is in effect, because slightly running your faucets can help prevent frozen pipes during the coldest days and nights of the year.
This is also a good idea when you know your household will be on vacation during extremely cold days as well!
Disconnecting Your Garden Hoses
It’s a huge mistake to keep your garden hoses connected to your outdoor faucets during the winter months, because this can potentially cause water to freeze and expand within your hose and/or faucet.
Outdoor plumbing damages are common throughout northern Utah during the winter months, and a lot of homeowners don’t recognize these damages until later in the year when they’re starting to do yard work again!
This is why it’s absolutely critical to not only disconnect your garden hoses during the winter, but also ensure that your outdoor faucets are thoroughly protected from extreme weather.
Opening Up The Cabinets Underneath Your Sinks
This is another helpful tip that can keep your pipes warm and prevent sink repairs like frozen pipes, as well as other issues during the winter months.
It may not seem like much, but keeping your sink cabinet areas warm will better ensure proper water flow during the coldest days of the season.
Sealing Cracks/Openings Around Your Pipes
This is another useful strategy to protect the most vulnerable parts of your residential plumbing system, because it’ll effectively keep cold air out of your home’s interior and prevent frozen pipes.
Getting Help From Neighbors & Friends While You’re Away
A lot of families in northern Utah will go on vacation during the winter months to get a break from the snow. This is always a fun getaway idea, but it’s important to make sure that you have a neighbor or friend who’ll check on your home when extreme weather is happening while you’re away.
Simply having someone go to your house and make sure everything is in working order will help you prevent pipes from freezing, as well as many other plumbing repairs.
Additional Tips For Winterizing Your Plumbing System In Northern Utah
There are also some other plumbing winterization tips that northern Utah homeowners should keep in mind, including:
- Winterizing your home’s pool based upon the pool’s manufacturer instructions.
- Being very careful with your property’s sprinkler system, and maintaining accordance with the water authority’s recommendations.
- Installing heat tape on your property’s exposed pipes to help keep them warm and prevent potential freezing.
- Cleaning and maintaining your fireplace to help provide additional heat to your home, and prevent frozen pipes.
- Properly insulate your water heater, and consider a water heater blanket while shopping at your local hardware store.
- Be sure to call our Master Plumbers when you have plumbing concerns and obtain a professional inspection.
Reach Out To Beehive Plumbing When You Need Help Winterizing Your Residential Plumbing System This Season!
Beehive Plumbing is a top-rated plumbing company that supports the entire northern Utah region, and our esteemed specialists are here for you and your home when you need support conducting proper winterization strategies.
Reach out to us online or give us a call at 801-849-3836 to schedule your next appointment today!
