3 Steps To Protect Your Pipes From Winter Storms

3/9/2022 (Permalink)

3 Ways To Keep Your Pipes Safe During Winter Storms

Winter can be a tough time for businesses in Franklin, TN. When you are already worrying about snow and ice removal and keeping your customers and employees safe, you don't want to also be forced to deal with a burst pipe. Here are three steps to getting your pipes ready for a cold season.

Remove Water From Outside Lines

Draining water from any water lines that have direct exposure to extreme cold is imperative to keeping your system in good working order. Disconnect garden hoses and sprinkler supply lines. Close off your outdoor hose bibs:

• Locate the shut-off valve and turn off the water supply.
• Place a bucket under the spigot and turn the water on, allowing it to run until the water in the line is removed.
• Leave the spigot open so that any water that may leak into the line is able to drip out instead of freezing in the line.

Insulate

A frozen pipe can end in disaster, with standing water that wreaks havoc on your building. Help prevent this by properly insulating your building and your plumbing. Be sure to pay special attention to areas where water supply lines are located in unheated areas such as garages. Install pipe sleeves or heat tape as needed to help in these areas.

Keep Them Warm

Take additional precautions when you know extreme cold is coming. Keep garage and service doors closed and open kitchen and bathroom cabinets to allow warmer air to circulate around pipes. Turn the water on to a trickle on any faucets served by exposed pipes. This will allow some water to move through the system to prevent freezing. If your efforts fail and a burst pipe results in a mess, be sure to contact professional water damage specialists as soon as possible to get a headstart on proper cleanup.
Don't let a burst pipe throw a wrench into your business plan. Follow these steps to get your plumbing ready for the cold winter weather.