Keeping a home in good condition during the winter may require more effort from a homeowner than just turning up the heat inside the home. Preparing your plumbing for the winter and before the Utah cold sets in will prevent water damage, frozen components, and damage to your pipes. Taking the steps to winterize your home will save you money and panic if an emergency were to occur. Our plumbers and technicians at S&B Plumbing want you to be prepared for the winter season and reduce the risk of plumbing emergencies during a harsh season. Here are some services that our plumbing company offers and tips to add to your to-do list before a big winter storm. 

Make Sure Your Pipes Are Insulated 

Just like your water heater, your pipes can be insulated as well. Maintaining the temperature of the pipes will prevent freezing when water isn’t running through them. Foam pipe insulation is the most popular option when keeping your pipes warm for winter. Heat tape can also be used to wrap exposed pipes throughout the home (these are usually found in basements and attics). 

Pipes in exterior walls are the most prone to freezing because they are the closest to the outdoor temperatures. Take special care to insulate these pipes because of changing temperatures outside and inside. 

Let Water Drip From The Faucets

When water is not being consistently run through your pipes, they are more prone to freezing. One way you can prepare your plumbing for the winter is to let the faucets drip slightly. When a storm is coming in, let the faucets throughout the home drip overnight. If you are leaving your home for a trip or extended period of time, dripping faucets will also help prevent frozen pipes when you return home. 

This may result in a slightly higher water bill for the winter, but reducing the repairs that need to be made will actually be cheaper. Frozen or burst pipes can become costly, so forking over some extra money during colder months will be worthwhile. 

Disconnect Outdoor Fixtures

Outdoor taps, garden hoses, or other exterior water supplies will not be needed during the winter, so disconnecting these fixtures or implementing faucet covers will protect your home. Draining water from hoses will also prevent them from freezing to the tap. Store them in a warm place so they are in good condition for the spring. 

Keep Your Interior Temperature Consistent

Fluctuating temperatures are the biggest reason that interior and exterior pipes begin to freeze. Homeowners can protect their interior pipes by keeping their thermostats at a consistent temperature. Having your furnace run at a moderate temperature, even when you are not home, will keep the pipes warm. 

If your pipes are insulated, keeping the interior temperature consistent will help the insulation hold in that heat when outdoor temperatures drop. Minimize the risk of frozen pipes by keeping your thermostat around 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit. Your home should never get below 55 degrees Fahrenheit if you want to avoid frozen pipes. 

Schedule Annual Water Heater Maintenance

Before the winter months, having a water heater service from S&B Plumbing will ensure that you have hot water all season long. Experts from our company will 

• Check all parts of the water heater
• Replace any parts or valves that may be faulty
• Flush your tank to remove sediment
• Adjust the heater temperature if necessary

Another way to prepare your water heater is to insulate it. Special sleeves are made for water heaters to ensure that your water stays hot and the components don’t freeze when not in use. Doing proper water heater maintenance will ensure you have a comfortable and safe winter inside your home. 

Prepare For Winter With The Help Of S&B Plumbing

You can minimize the risk of frozen pipes by seeking the advice of a professional plumber. Sid and Brian both have a love for plumbing and helping the residents of Utah. Our company prides itself on providing the best quality plumbing repairs, parts, and services to help keep Utah homes and businesses safe. Our team often works on commercial properties, but we offer multiple residential services like drain cleaning, toilet repair, and bathroom remodeling. 

S&B Plumbing is proud to serve homes and businesses of all sizes along the Wasatch Front. Whether you need a small repair or a completely new plumbing system, our team can help!

Occasionally your city or state will need to shut off your water for a period of time. Other instances like natural disasters or major storms could lead to the water supply being damaged or turned off. Experiencing a water outage can be frustrating and scary, but there are actions you can take to prepare and tips to implement once the water is shut off. 

While it may not always be possible to prepare for a water outage, stocking up on water or emergency supplies now will help give you peace of mind in emergency situations. 

Invest In Water Storage Containers

One of the best ways to ensure you have plenty of water for your family is to buy distilled water jugs, large water containers, or empty water jugs that can be filled in a time of need. These water storage options will help you have clean and safe water for drinking, washing, and bathing. 

Keep Water In The Bath Tub Or Sink

If you do not have plastic or steel water containers, fill up your tub and sinks with water. This will give you a clear idea of how much water you have access to, and give you easy access to it for flushing or washing hands when absolutely necessary. 

Water in the tub can be drunk, but it may need to be oxygenated after staying stagnant for some time. You can reoxygenate water by transferring it between two clean containers a few times. 

Use Hand Sanitizer Instead Of Soap And Water

Simple tasks that we take for granted like hand washing, will not be available during a water outage. Clean hands are essential to your health, so using alternative options will keep you and your family safe while the water is off. Use hand sanitizer, wet wipes, or soap without water if you want to conserve your supply. 

Use Paper Plates

Another daily task that will need to be adjusted is dishwashing. Whether you wash dishes by hand or in your dishwasher, the amount of water available for dishes will be limited during a water outage. Using paper plates, plastic silverware, and other disposable cutlery will help you conserve water for other needs. 

Limit Physical Activity

During a water outage, you may not think that limiting your physical activity will help in any way, but limiting exercise or tiring activities will conserve water. Sweating can lead to dehydration and the need for more drinking water. If your supply is depleting, doing rigorous exercise will decrease it even further when drinking water is needed. Our bodies need water to survive, especially when our body is depleted of too much H2O.

Dehydration can become severe and lead to major body damage or death. Avoiding dehydration during a water outage starts with the right preparation. Buy plastic water bottles and limit the strain on your body. 

Turn Off Your Water Heater

Turning off the heat in your house or turning off the water heater itself will lower the risk of fire when the line runs dry. If your water heater continues to heat up without water in the tank, it could lead to an explosion or fire in or around the heater. 

Flush Pipes After The Water Is Back On

If your water outage lasted for an extended period, sediment, copper deposits, or other build-ups could have settled in your pipes. Many of these bacteria or sediments are not safe to drink, so you will need to flush the pipes before using your water again. 

To flush out your pipes, start by removing showerheads, aerators, filters, and screens. Clean all of these items or replace them if needed. Bypass your water softener and close the inlet valve to your water heater. Run cold water on the lowest level of your home first, then work your way up through the home until all faucets are running. Let the water flow for 30 minutes (monitor flooding).

Make sure the water is not discolored after 30 minutes. If the water supply still looks brown or mucky, contact your water supplier or plumber. If you are worried about your pipes or flushing them, S&B Plumbing would be happy to help. 

Services With S&B Plumbing

Our team serves many cities in the state of Utah and offers services for your pipes, sewer system, water heater, and toilets. No matter the size of your project, we can make your home a better and safer place to live. Contact us to schedule an appointment today!