Crystal Lake Plumbers Recommend Taking Steps to Winterize Your Home This Fall

Crystal Lake, IL (PRWEB) September 29, 2013

Winter is fast approaching, and for many home and business owners, that could spell disaster with frozen pipes and burst lines. These things can be mostly prevented, but only if the proper steps are taken before hand. As the leaves are just starting to fall, it means that the cold season is almost upon residents of Illinois. That means that it is time to get things done in preparation for the winter months ahead. Often, the area faces snow, sleet, and sub-zero winds. That means any line without proper protection is at risk.

Catenzaro & Sons Plumbing in Crystal Lake, IL has been serving businesses and homeowners around the area for years. While they are happy to help whenever someone needs a plumber, handling tasks including bathroom and kitchen remodeling plumbing, new construction plumbing, installing new water lines, and sewer hookups, a number of calls come in each year for leaking water heaters, clogged drains, and frozen pipes. These calls are important and many rely on the organization’s 24 hour emergency plumbing services. However, it is important that people understand a number of plumbing service calls can be avoided if they take a few simple steps ahead of time to prevent damage to their pipes and home.

One of the first things every homeowner and business manager should be sure to do when considering what could happen with their plumbing is find the shut-off valve. Most buildings have a main shut-off valve located near where the water hooks up from the city of well to the building. This may be inside or outside. It is also common for different branches of plumbing to have their own shut off valve. For example, one might find that their water heater, kitchen sink, and bathrooms all have an individual shut-off valve. Knowing where these shut-off valves are will be helpful in the event of a burst pipe or leak. The water can quickly be turned off to prevent flooding and further damage.

The next most important step to take for plumbing winterization is to insulate pipes that are in unheated areas. This may include basements in older homes. Also, if someone has pipes that are above ground outside the home, they will need insulated. Foam pipe insulation can be purchased at most hardware stores and is relatively inexpensive. Use zip ties to secure the insulating. It is a good idea to swap this out yearly, as moisture, insects, and other environmental factors can degrade the exposure foam.

Next, if someone has a sprinkler or irrigation system outside, they will want to follow the manufacturer’s recommended guidelines on draining the lines.

For those travelling during the winter, it is important to keep the thermostat set at no lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep cupboards and closets open as well, which will help allow the warmer air get to pipes within the home. If the home is to be vacant for long periods of time when the weather can get below freezing, it might also be a good idea to shut off the water and drain all indoor lines.

About Catenzaro & Sons Plumbing: Crystal Lake, IL plumbers provide plumbing contractor and emergency plumbing in Chicago, Algonquin, McHenry, and other nearby places. Family owned and operated, they make customer service their number one priority.

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