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Winterizing your Plumbing System
In Atlanta it may not seem necessary, but in the past few years we have had some pretty low temperatures. Freezebreak Prices
The best way to insure no freezebreaks is to use covers on all of your outside spigots and make sure you close your foundation vents that may expose any pipes.
A properly installed irrigation system will drain down automatically for the winter.
Also on any exposed areas heat tape is a good option. Generally speaking this is not going to be an issue unless you have an older home with exposed pipes or a very shallow main water line or a crawl space with exposed pipes and drafty cold air coming in from open or non existent foundation vents.
Thawing Pipes
Exterior plumbing pipe winterization
- Caulk around pipes where they enter the house . Close all foundation vents. (Open foundation vents are a common cause of frozen or busted water service lines and piping.)
- Protection for exterior pipes and faucets. In some homes, the outside faucet has a separate shut-off in the basement. If you have a separate valve for outside faucets, shut if off. Then go outside and turn on all the faucets to drain water in the lines. Leave the outside faucets on while you go back and check your outside shut-off valve for a small brass plug or cap on the valve. Turn this plug far enough that water drains from the valve. Then, tighten the plug back and turn off all the outside faucets.
- Wrap outside faucets or hose bibbs. This is self explanatory and too often overlooked
- In-ground sprinkler systems must be drained properly. Per manufacturer's instructions or just call us
Interior plumbing pipewinterization
- Insulate pipes in unheated areas i.e. crawl space, attic, garage and basement areas. We utilize insulating tape and pipe insulation tubing and wrap it over the exposed pipe. We also cover all spigots, exposed valves, pipe-fittings, with fiberglass wrap and use insulating tape and electric pipe tape where it may be necessary
- Our Plumbers will Shut off and drain your water system for you if you are lgoing out of town call us (Turn off the water heater and drain the entire system.) Turn off the main shut-off valve, then go through the house and turn on all faucets, sinks, tubs, showers, etc., and flush the toilets. Go back to the valve and remove the plug so that it can drain completely. Follow-up by re-tightening the valve and turning off the open faucets.
- Open cupboard doors in the kitchen and bathrooms. Water lines supplying the kitchen or bathrooms are frequently located in outside walls. Any air leaks in siding or insulation can cause these pipes to freeze. Leaving the cupboard doors open when the temperature is below freezing allows pipes behind the cupboards to get more heat.
- Let the water run if the temperature dips below freezing. (A stream slightly smaller than a pencil width should be sufficient.) Faucets farthest from the street should be the ones left running. Using cold water will save on your gas or electric bill.
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Prevention
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