Preparing Your Home Plumbing System for the Cold Winter Months

Winter in New Hampshire promises freezing temperatures, snowdrifts, and ice dams that can put your Northfield plumbing system at serious risk. Winter plumbing preparation is an absolute must to proactively prevent costly damage and avoid the inconvenient issues and emergencies. 

From Northfield pipes bursting to leaks, the team at Rowell’s Services is ready to provide all of the plumbing fixes you need. We can help you prevent winter pipe damage with inspections, prep work, and repairs for a safe and dry home. We also have expert tips and insights to prepare your home’s plumbing system for the winter months. 

Exposed pipes in unheated spaces, including basements, attics, garages, and crawl spaces, are vulnerable to freezing and burst pipes. Taking the time to insulate these pipes is one of the most effective ways to prevent frozen pipes Northfield NH during plummeting winter temperatures.

Tips for Insulating Pipes

• Pipe Insulation: Use foam pipe insulation or rubber sleeves to cover up any exposed pipes or in rooms that are poorly insulated, like attics.
• Wrap Your Pipes: Consider wrapping your pipes with heat tape, especially in frigid areas or if you have pipes that are harder to insulate.

Investing in professional insulation can also enhance your peace of mind for plumbing protection in winter. Give the team at Rowell’s Services a call to look over your home, pipes, and uninsulated areas to help you choose the best options to keep your plumbing safe.

Check and Repair Leaks Early

A small leak may seem like something you can put off for another day, but when the temperatures drop, even a small one can quickly turn into a major problem. When the water in your pipes expands due to freezing temperatures, it can damage your pipes and result in an expensive leak.

Tips for Detecting Leaks

• Check for Drips: It’s important to regularly check for drips or puddles under your sinks, around faucets, near toilets, and in your kitchen or anywhere with an appliance that uses water. 
• Inspect Outdoor Faucets for Leaks: Outdoor faucets are easy to overlook but are typically the first to freeze. If you don’t address these leaks and repair them quickly, they can cause a burst pipe and impact your entire plumbing system.
• Invest in Leak Detection Devices: Leak detection devices can alert you at the first signs of a leak. They give you more peace of mind that your home is safe and dry, especially if you’re traveling during the holidays.

If you’ve found a leak, don’t wait to get help. Call Rowell’s Services leak repair experts to quickly fix it before it turns into a plumbing emergency.

Drain Your Outdoor Faucets and Hoses

The constant exposure of your outdoor faucets and hoses to the elements makes them easy targets for freezing. If you skip over winterizing these areas, you risk experiencing burst pipes, which can cause extensive damage throughout your property.

Tips for Winterizing Outdoor Faucets:

• Disconnect Your Hoses: Unplug all your hoses and empty any connected items to your outdoor faucets. Even a little water in the hose and spigot can freeze and lead to damage. 
• Drain the Faucet: Thoroughly drain outdoor faucets winter by shutting off the supply and allowing the remaining water to flow out and winterize hose bibs Northfield. If you have a valve to shut off the water to outdoor faucets, turn it off as an extra layer of protection for your plumbing system. 

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by household winterizing projects, give us a call to protect outdoor plumbing. The team at Rowell’s Services will make sure your plumbing is properly prepared for winter.

Keep a Consistent Indoor Temperature

You can prevent frozen pipes Northfield with a steady and consistent indoor temperature. When the temperatures drop too dramatically, the pipes in your exterior walls or in rooms with lackluster insulation are at risk for freezing. 

Tips for Maintaining a Safe Indoor Temperature:

• Check Your Thermostat Settings: Make sure your thermostat settings are correct. Your ideal home temperature winter plumbing is no lower than 55°F, even if you’re leaving for a few days. A programmable or smart thermostat is a lifeline for maintaining consistent temperatures in your home without worrying about freezing your plumbing.
• Open Cabinet Doors and Sinks: Let the warm air flow freely throughout your home and around your pipes by opening cabinet doors under the sinks, especially those along exterior walls.

The team at Rowell’s offer smart thermostat installation and will go over how to use it to ensure your home is optimized for the season. A smart thermostat could also help reduce your energy bills and give you more control over the settings, especially when you’re traveling. 

Locate Your Main Water Shut-Off Valve

It’s vital for every homeowner to know where their main water shut-off location is located in case of an emergency like a burst pipe or leak. If a pipe does burst, you need to quickly shut off the water to minimize the damage and prevent flooding. 

Tips for Managing Your Shut-Off Valve:

• Educate Your Household: Show everyone in your household where the main shut-off valve is and how to use it in case they need an emergency plumbing shut-off Northfield.
• Test the Valve: Test your water shutoff valve to make sure it turns easily and there’s not a buildup of minerals or corrosion that makes it difficult to access. 

If there’s something wrong with the water valve, we’ll come out to take a look and either replace it or get it working like new again.

Schedule a Professional Plumbing Inspection

One of the most reliable and effective ways to avoid plumbing issues is with a professional inspection, especially if you have an older home. The team at Rowell’s Services will come out to assess your plumbing, identify any issues, and address anything that could cause problems during a temperature drop. 

What’s Included in a Plumbing Inspection

• Identify Weak Spots: Our licensed plumbers will check the integrity of your pipes to identify any vulnerabilities or small leaks.
• Water Heater Inspection: We’ll also inspect your water heater to check that it’s working efficiently and prepared for winter. We may recommend draining it to clear out sediment and keep it working at maximum capacity. 
• Thorough Assessment: Our team will conduct a thorough assessment to identify any hidden issues that could potentially escalate into an emergency when temperatures drop.

Get the peace of mind you deserve by booking a winter plumbing inspection with Rowell’s Services. We’ll protect your home before the cold weather sets in.

Call Rowell’s Service Today for a Worry-Free Winter

Taking proactive steps goes a long way to keep your plumbing system safe and working efficiently. From preventing freezing and burst pipes to avoiding emergencies, we’re always here to help. Call the team at Rowell’s Services for all your plumbing needs. Schedule your appointment today!