/ By Cynthia Lyons / Plumbing/ • • • • • / 0 Comments

Preparing for Winter: Prevent Plumbing Problems

Many St Louis homes have plumbing water lines running through their basements. During the cold fall and winter months, when our temperatures drop below freezing point, it puts your plumbing lines at risk for possible freeze and breakage. A busted pipe can result in flooding, causing major water damage, property destruction, and costly repair. 

As we work our way through the fall season, homeowners should do everything they can to avoid freeze-related plumbing issues. We’ve got a few tips to help you get your home ready.

Tips to Prepare Your Plumbing for Winter

  • Turn the Heat On: The first easy step to prevent pipes from freezing is to keep your heat set above 50 degrees. Setting your thermostat at 50 or above should keep your pipes and the water inside warm enough to prevent it from freezing. Check out our blog post on Home Heating, and schedule a furnace check and cleaning with AAA Home Services today. 
  • Insulate Your Pipes: Make sure your pipes are well insulated, and add extra insulation in basements if needed. Exposed pipes can be fitted with rubber or fiberglass sleeves to keep the piping warm. For piping that is located inside walls, you can add extra insulation to the walls themselves. This step is the most important for exterior walls that are closest to the cold outdoor air. 
  • Seal Gaps Where Cold Air Passes: Seal up any areas around where plumbing pipes run through walls, cabinets, or floors – especially gaps that let in cold air. Fill the gaps with caulk or spray foam insulation. If both the interior and exterior sides of the gap are accessible, seal both sides. This will prevent the cabinets where your plumbing pipes run, which are already typically cold, from getting even colder.
  • Locate Your Shut-Off Valve: As a back-up, you and your family members should also know how to locate and operate the water shut-off valve in the event that a plumbing pipe does burst.

Whether you need help preparing or repairing your plumbing pipes, AAA is here to help! We’ve been a leader in home plumbing service needs since 1970, and always have professional, licensed plumbers ready to help you with anything plumbing-related. Give us a call at 636-238-1786 or 314-968-3050 for same or next day service!