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Fixing a plumbing problem due to freezing is something you definitely don’t want to deal with in winter. Leaks or breaks in interior pipes are bad enough, but frozen outdoor plumbing can sometimes cause problems inside your house, too.
Winterize your outdoor plumbing in the fall, well before temperatures dip into the freezing range. Start with faucets on the outside of your house. Disconnect hoses and store them. Water still in hoses left attached will freeze and expand, putting pressure on the line going into your house, and could break the pipe.
Next, locate the shut-off valves for the faucets. Most often, these are in crawlspaces and basements, and sometimes in garages. With the water turned off, open all the faucets to let the remaining water drain. You may even want to wrap the faucets with insulation. Home improvement stores sell kits for this purpose. Something else to consider is to have frost-free hose bibs installed. A plumber can do this job for you.
If you have a pool or a decorative pond on your property, drain it partially so the water won’t crack the sides upon freezing. Water lines for pools are far enough below the ground that they shouldn’t need to be emptied. Add chemicals to keep algae under control over the winter, and put on the cover to insulate the pool. If you run your pond year round, consider putting in a heater.
In-ground sprinkler systems must be blown out with a heavy-duty compressor to ensure the lines are empty. You’ll need to hire a professional company for this. In the meantime, unplug the system’s timer.
An outdoor entertainment space with a kitchen can be handled like outdoor faucets. Turn the water off at the source and let the line drain. You can also insulate it by pouring some antifreeze into it.
Don’t let frozen pipes stop you cold. Heaney Plumbing & Heating can handle any job, big or small. We’ve been proudly serving Metro Detroit homes for more than 45 years, and we're ready to help you too. Contact us today for a free estimate!