Preparing Your Pipes and Drains ready For Winter

As we start to go into the colder winter months and plummeting temperatures and snapping frosty periods, if not dealt with or a plan in place your pipes and drains can quickly turn into a major headache.

With these issues in mind, here’s how to safeguard against the harsh winter months.

EASY STEPS TO PROTECT YOUR PIPES AND DRAINS

As water freezes, it expands. It’s a simply rule that means whatever the material containing it, cold temperatures can easily exact a toll. Pipes and drains are no exception, and homeowners must take care with those that are outside, outdoor taps, swimming pool hoses, water sprinklers apparatus and pipes that exist in the areas of the house that are not heated.

Preparing your pipes for cold spells isn’t hard to carry out, and there are several steps you can take.

INSULATE

Insultation is the quickest and easy way to guard against frost damage, and it is not as expensive has you might think. Any pipes, drains, cisterns, and any other water containing systems should be drained for winter if they are not going to be used, while those that are going to be used should be insulated- it will save you from any headaches and any additional costs.

Circular insulation can be quickly and easily wrapped around any piping and is available from any DIY store.

DRAIN OUTDOOR PIPES

If you have any outdoor hosepipes located in any unheated or outdoor areas of your house, drain these, and store them away in a warmer area of your property. If you have any taps in these areas, close the indoor valves but leave the outdoor ones open: this will allow the water to expand safely.

REPAIR LEAKS

Now is the perfect time to check all your hoses for leaks and get them repaired before storing them away for the winter. This is also a great time to inspect your outdoor taps and fixtures for any damages that may cause future leaks and get them repaired.

HEATING

One of the easiest ways to prevent freezing within your home is to keep your heating on low constantly throughout the winter months, this should not rise your heating bills, has it the constant stop-start of the heating system and the warming and cooling uses more energy.

CLEAR YOUR DRAINS

Remove any leaves, mud, and other stuff from your drains, this will help in water flow and stop any potential freezing of your drains.

INSTALL DRAIN PROTECTION

If leaves are still failing and you want to make sure that no material makes its way into your drain, think about buying a drain protector made from non-freeze plastic. This will keep your home safeguarded against frozen water damage.

If you would like to speak to someone right know to gain some advice on how look after your home though the winter months then please contact us on 01773 749 713 and one the team will be happy to answer any questions you may have.