There is a common old saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” This wise nugget of advice means that it is better, and often much easier, to stop a problem before it happens than to correct issues once they begin. So it is with winterizing your home’s plumbing system.

It’s now autumn, and the warm days and cool nights will soon lead to the first frost of the season. That means it is also that time of year again to make sure your home’s plumbing is ready for the bitter cold weather of winter.

To prevent pipes from freezing and bursting from extreme cold temperatures we offer these ten tips for you to take:

1. Check all outdoor faucets to be sure they are not dripping or leaking water.
2. Disconnect all water hoses from faucets on the exterior of your home.
3. Faucets on the outside of your house, or other areas where the temperature can freeze, should be covered with Styrofoam faucet covers or hose bibb.
4. If your house has interior shut-off valves for the outside faucets and pipes, they should be turned off and then the attached exterior faucet valves opened to prevent possible freezing.
5. Have your rain gutters checked and cleaned to be sure they are free of leaves, twigs, and other debris.
6. Check all areas in and around your home that are not heated to be sure the plumbing pipes are insulated.
7. Each year it is recommended that you fully drain and flush your home’s water heater. This prevents sediment and rust buildup, and can enhance the appliance’s performance while extending its lifespan.
8. Check all your house’s indoor plumbing fixtures and faucets (sinks, showers, toilets, washing machine, etc.) to be sure they are not leaking. If you find leaking, repair or call a trained professional to have it fixed.
9. Where pipes enter your home, check to see if there are any gaps. If you find spaces, seal and insulate them.
10. Clean and insulate sump pumps to avoid malfunctioning or possible freezing.

If you need help preparing your home’s plumbing system for the cold weather months of winter, give the trained and certified pros at A & A Plumbing a call at 402-932-3899. Our family business is locally owned and has the experience, reliability and customer care that will get the job done the right way, the first time.