- Turn off and drain automatic and manual sprinkler systems.
- Ruptured sprinkler lines can cause property damage and flooding into the home’s foundation.
- Disconnect garden hoses and drain outdoor pipes to prevent damage during colder temperatures.
- During cold snaps, if a garden hose is left connected, ice can form and pressure can build up in the water lines inside your home. Installing an exterior, insulated faucet jacket can protect your faucet and the connecting lines running into the home from freezing temperatures.
- Be sure to utilize the shut-off valves located inside your home to drain water from pipes leading to outdoor hose bibs.
- These valves can typically be found under sinks, in crawl spaces, basements, or near your water heater or your meter.
- Insulate water pipes that may be vulnerable to the cold or have caused problems before.
- Pipes close to exterior walls or in an unheated section of the basement can be wrapped with pieces of insulation.
The best defense to ensure that your plumbing systems are running properly is to schedule annual maintenance inspections.