Tuesday, December 19th, 2023

December is not too late to prep your home’s exterior plumbing for winter

They say it’s an El Nino winter, but even though the temps have indeed been warmer this season in Cincinnati (for now), it’s still important to make sure your home’s plumbing is winter-ready. 

Sure, we’re deep into December, but there’s still time to prepare. Spring is a long way away. 

The good news is that it’s easy, inexpensive (or downright free), and fast to winterize your plumbing. We recommend penciling in some time on the calendar soon – a few hours should be all you need. 

To help get you started, we’ve created a list of must-dos for your home’s plumbing every winter.

Check your outdoor faucets

Do a complete check of your outdoor faucets. Look for water or wet areas on the ground and drips coming from the faucets. If you notice a leak, contact a plumbing professional. Even a tiny drip can cause damage or lead to a high water bill.  

Next, seal the faucets

Purchase foam insulation covers from a home improvement store to seal faucets easily and keep them warm. Wrap them around pipes that are not insulated or in colder, damp places like the basement.

Winterize the sprinkler system

If you still need to shut down the sprinklers, do so now. Here’s how. First, turn off your home’s water supply. Next, turn off your sprinkler’s timer and drain the system, depending on your model. Lastly, insulate all above-ground sprinkler components with insulation tape or foam covers. 

Check window well covers

Inspect your windows to make sure there aren’t any areas that need additional insulation for the colder months. Check for “pinpricks” of sunlight where the window meets the seam. If you see any light through the seam, add insulation to the window’s exterior to block the small opening. 

Clean the gutters and the roof

During the winter, fallen leaves can fill gutters and cause blockages, so water – whether from rain or melting snow – can’t drain properly. This can lead to leaks in ceilings and walls. 

You can head to the roof and clean your gutters or let a roofing professional do it. The latter choice has an extra benefit: the roofer can inspect the roof for any damage and perform the needed repairs. 

Store away hoses

Never keep your garden hoses out all winter. Doing so will cause them to turn brittle and crack. Instead, store them inside in a warm place. This way, there will be no surprises when you head out to the garden come springtime. 

Remember: The team at Allied Reddi-Rooter is here to help 365 days a year. We can get your home’s plumbing in shape for winter, and we’re always here if you need a plumbing repair.  Contact the team at Allied Reddi-Rooter.  We always come highly recommended and have earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau for our expert quality of service.