Your Step-by-Step Guide to Prepping for Cold Weather

Winter has only just begun to knock at our doors, but the colder weather will be here sooner than you know. It’s so important to prep your house ahead of time. The last thing you need is to frantically get things in order the day before a freezing cold night. Here’s our go-to list for a friendly reminder on what needs to be done:

Outdoor Water Sources

1. Disconnect water hoses
2. Drain the water from your outdoor faucets and garden hoses
3. Store garden hoses and other outdoor equipment in a shed, garage, or basement
4. Cover spigots with your preferred insulated option 
5. Have in-ground sprinkler system blown out by professionals

Indoor Water Sources

1. Identify any problem pipes- you may already know which pipes those are based off of previous leaks or frozen pipes. If you need help identifying which pipes or areas need to be insulated, contact your Birmingham residential plumbing experts at All City Plumbers. 
2. Insulate said problem pipes with heat tape or other insulation products.
3. Make sure everyone in your household knows how to turn off the house’s water source- this is in case you do experience a frozen or busted pipe and need to shut off the water until your All City Plumbers technician arrives to fix the problem. 

Reminder: When temperatures are expected to stay at or below freezing overnight when you’ll be asleep, keep faucets dripping and open the cabinets under your sinks to make sure your pipes have access to warm air. In order to not waste water all night, put a basin, bottle, or something similar under the faucet to catch the dripping water to use elsewhere the following day.

Furnace

1. Hire an HVAC professional to perform a routine maintenance checkup
2. Make sure vents are cleaned out and filters are replaced
3. Have furnace ducts sealed if they aren’t already

Reminder: If you frequently use your wood fireplace (either for warmth or comfort), have a professional inspect and clean the chimney before use. This will help prevent health issues and hazardous accidents.

Windows and Doors

A quick, easy way to test for drafty doors and windows is to light a candle (wick exposed, not the kind in a jar) and hold it in front of the door frame or windowsill. If the flame blows away from the door or window, you have a bad seal and cold air will easily be able to seep into your home and destroy your energy bill. 

1. Test door frames and window frames as detailed above
2. Add (or replace) weatherstripping to leaky frames- the associates at your local hardware store should be able to help you find the right options and explain how to install them. 
3. Install door sweeps where needed

If you come across any Birmingham residential plumbing needs this Fall as you prepare for colder weather, contact us at All City Plumbers so we can help you prevent frozen or busted pipes down the road. If you do happen to experience a leaky or frozen pipe once we see freezing temperatures, remember that we are available 24/7 for emergency calls.