There are plenty of things to celebrate during the winter months, often a time for families to spend meaningful time together. However, that doesn’t mean that Pleasanton homeowners shouldn’t also invest some time into preparing their home for the cold. Though winters in Pleasanton are usually fairly mild, a single night of bad weather could result in a burst pipe, the last thing you want to deal with when you’re getting ready to start planning out the holiday dinner. Fortunately, there are a few simple steps you can take to ensure that your plumbing is well protected against the weather, allowing you to focus more on creating positive memories and less on worrying about your home.
Step 1: Inspect Your Plumbing
If you have not had any sort of plumbing maintenance since the previous winter, you may wish to schedule an appointment with a licensed plumber from Rivers Plumbing, Heating & Air. They can take a look at your pipes and ensure you don’t have any weak spots or small leaks already present.
Step 2: Isolate and Drain Outdoor Plumbing
Pipes that lead to the outside are more at risk of freezing. If possible, make sure the valves controlling the water flow in that direction are switched off, and drain any water out of the pipes. Once they’ve emptied, you can rest assured that no matter how cold the temperature gets, they won’t freeze or burst.
Step 3: Install Pipe Insulation
This is especially important for pipes in unheated areas like the basement or attic and is fairly cost effective.
Step 4: Maintain Constant Heat
Even if you’re planning on being absent from your home, don’t switch off the heat. Maintaining an ambient temperature of 55º F or more will ensure that your pipes will remain warm enough to avoid freezing.
For more information on how to keep your pipes in good shape, simply give Rivers Plumbing, Heating & Air a call at (925) 846-6000.