Protect Your Upstate South Carolina Pipes
Of all the things that a homeowner can do to maintain their plumbing systems, the following five tips can help keep money in your pocket and visits from your Upstate South Carolina plumber to a minimum.
1. Check for leaks - Even the tiniest leak can turn into a torrential flood if not caught early enough. The resulting damage can cost a pretty penny, so it is essential to check all pipe lines, especially those areas that lack insulation. Contacting an Upstate South Carolina plumber can also be helpful, as they can help point out trouble areas and give you tips on maintaining your system.
2. Drain and insulate - Draining and insulating pipes is an essential tip for areas that experience harsh winters. This prevents water trapped in pipes from freezing, expanding, cracking, breaking, or bursting. You can avoid expensive and intensive plumbing repairs by draining and insulating.
3. Weatherproof trouble areas - It is also important to look for exposed plumbing areas. Doorways, windows, and vent fans should be checked to keep their seals tight. You can use caulking to prevent your home plumbing from freezing if a seal is loose.
4. Insulate exposed pipes - Again– insulate, insulate, insulate. Insulating your pipes is easy and inexpensive but does so much to protect your plumbing system. It can be as easy as installing foam tubing or towels around your pipes and can help your water heater retain heat (and therefore lower those pricey energy bills). Pipes near electrical sources should be insulated with electrical heating tape.
5. Keep indoor pipes warm - Just because outdoor insulation is stressed, remember your indoor pipes. Indoor pipes can also freeze in cold weather, so doing things such as opening cabinet doors to expose your pipes to your home's heat can help prevent internal home plumbing issues. If you leave for vacation, don't turn off your heat completely. Also, letting indoor faucets drip when temps outside dip below 30 degrees may increase your water bill slightly, but the cost is minuscule compared to the high cost of replacing burst pipes and the cleanup.
Using these tips and consulting an Upstate South Carolina plumber should prepare any Upstate South Carolina homeowner for potential pipe problems during the winter. If you do experience pipe problems, call Upstate South Carolina plumbing services for expert help!
