Although Texas is known for its heat, areas like North Texas have had more than their fair share of cold weather. Whether for low temperatures or ground ice during the freezing winter months, it is crucial to prepare your client’s sprinkler system for what’s to come. Failing to winterize your water systems can lead to frozen pipes, damaged components, and costly repairs come spring. This article is designed to help you understand the benefits of winterizing and provide you with the steps to properly protect your property.
Why Winterizing Matters in North Texas
Without proper preparation, freezing temperatures can cause significant damage to pipes, valves, and other system components. Freezing water expands, which puts added pressure on your pipes. Pressure buildup can cause pipes to crack or burst altogether, resulting in significant water damage and heavy repair costs.
Taking the time to winterize your irrigation system helps prevent the need for costly repairs or replacements. In climates like that of North Texas, it is an essential part of winter maintenance if you plan to avoid expensive repairs.
Outdoor Plumbing: Sprinklers, Faucets, and Hoses
There are various steps you should take to prepare your outdoor plumbing for extremely cold weather. The easiest path to follow would be to:
- Turn off the outdoor water supply: Locate your shut-off valve and turn off the water supply to outdoor faucets. This will prevent any new water flow, so it doesn’t have a chance to freeze inside your pipes.
- Drain and store all your hoses: With no new water flowing, you should drain any hoses, sprinklers, or any other outdoor equipment and store them away from the elements.
- Drain all outdoor faucets: With your hoses detached, you can properly drain your outdoor faucets. If you turn the handles counterclockwise until they stop rotating, any water remaining in the supply pipe valve should drain out. Leave them like this for a while to ensure all the water has been let out.
- Inspect all equipment: Before you assume the coast is clear, take a moment to inspect your faucets and outdoor equipment. Make note of any visible damage or leaks and seek out proper professional help quickly. In times of extreme weather, little problems can quickly balloon into expensive repairs.
- Install foam covers for more protection: Lastly, to ensure even more protection, install insulating foam covers around all your outdoor faucets. They help keep frigid air outside your home and provide additional protection against freezing.
Indoor Plumbing: Protecting Pipes and Fixtures
Extreme temperatures threaten both your outdoor and indoor plumbing. When it comes to protecting your indoor pipes and fixtures, you should follow these detailed steps:
- Seal any air leaks: Cold air can easily slip through small openings in your home. Identify air leaks near plumbing pipes and seal them with expandable foam and insulation. Check for gaps around windows, doors, and utility access points, especially where wires, pipes, or cables pass through walls.
- Keep your home at a consistent temperature: Make sure your home is adequately heated. Avoid shutting off the heat or setting the thermostat too low to avoid frozen pipes.
- Keep cabinets with exposed piping warm: If you have cabinets with pipes that go through outside walls, leave the cabinet doors open to let warm air in from your home.
- Drip your faucets: When temperatures drop below freezing, opening a faucet to allow a steady drip of water can keep the system flowing.
Tips for Seasonal Homeowners and Travelers
Properly preparing your home for the changing seasons is even more important for frequent travelers. Without a way to consistently monitor or adjust any pressing problems, you will have to ensure your property has security measures already in place. The best tips for traveling homeowners looking to winterize and protect their homes include:
- Help avoid water damage by turning off your water supply
- Make your home unattractive to pests and thieves
- Keep your home and plumbing warm
- Perform routine winter maintenance before you leave
- Have a plan in place for emergencies
By following these steps, you can ensure you don’t return to any unwanted damage or guests while you’ve been away. With your home security guaranteed, you can focus on relaxation and enjoying time with your family.
Professional Winterization Services from HEB Plumbing
Is your home’s plumbing system ready for winter? When cold weather is approaching, don’t risk damage by failing to prepare your home in time. Not taking the necessary steps to winterize your home can result in expensive emergency plumbing services. At HEB Plumbing & Sprinkler, our team takes pride in thoroughly inspecting your home and ensuring it’s ready to tackle extreme weather conditions.
Our professional winterization services range from draining all your plumbing to turning off the appliances in your home. We’ll make sure your home is prepped as quickly as possible. We understand how important it is to own a safe and reliable home. Our team remains committed to helping you protect it, every step of the way.
Schedule Your Winterization Appointment Today
When it comes to winterization, time is of the essence. Our professional plumbers understand your time is valuable, which is why we ensure our services are always as prompt and accurate as possible.
If you’re in Tarrant County, Texas, the award-winning H.E.B. Plumbing & Sprinkler can help you by providing reliable, preventive care to avoid costly damage. We’ve been in business since 1980 and are a name you can trust. Contact us today for more information or to schedule service.
FAQs:
In shifting weather conditions like North Texas, it is extremely important to winterize your property during cold seasons.
Winterizing your sprinkler system means it should be drained of water and stored in anticipation of freezing temperatures.
The best way to prevent frozen pipes from appearing in your home is to cut off the water supply. It also helps to keep your home at a consistently warm temperature and to let your faucets drip in extremely low temperatures.
Yes, it is especially important to winterize your plumbing before leaving for extended periods of time, as you won’t be around to quickly monitor or address any pressing issues.
Yes, HEB Plumbing provides winterization services for both residential and commercial properties.