How to Winterize Your Pipes

All it takes is one burst pipe to turn your Tacoma home into a lake.

A half-inch burst pipe can spill out 50 gallons per minute. Imagine the damage that could cause to your home.

Winterizing your pipes during the winter is recommended for all homes—particularly if it’s a vacation home or rental property that might remain unoccupied during the colder months.

Whether you need a company to winterize your pipes or install a new water heater, Resicon LLC can help. We offer a thorough list of plumbing services for families and businesses in Tacoma, WA, and all the surrounding areas.

Why Winterize Your Pipes?

Over 250,000 homes across the U.S. experience frozen or burst pipes each year, according to the American Red Cross. Prevention is key!

When water freezes, it expands, exerting immense pressure on the pipes that contain it. This pressure can cause pipes to crack, burst, or even break, leading to significant water leaks and potential damage to your home’s structure:

• Water damage: Once a pipe ruptures, water can quickly spread throughout your home, causing damage to walls, flooring, furniture, and personal belongings.
• Mold and mildew growth: Water leaks create an ideal environment for mold and mildew to flourish, leading to health concerns and further damage to your property.
• Expensive repairs: Replacing damaged pipes and repairing water damage can be costly.
  

Preparing for Winterization

Before embarking on the winterization process, it’s important to gather the necessary tools and materials:

1. Locate the shut-off valve: The main shut-off valve for your home’s water supply is typically located near the water meter or in the basement.
   
2. Turn off the water supply: Close the main shut-off valve to stop the flow of water into your home’s pipes.
   
3. Open faucets and fixtures: Open all faucets and fixtures throughout your home, including sinks, bathtubs, showers, and toilets, to drain any remaining water.
   
4. Drain outdoor faucets and pipes: Disconnect and drain any garden hoses or hoses connected to outdoor faucets.
   
5. Blow out excess water: Resicon LLC can help by hooking up a compressor and blowing out any remaining water from pipes. Start from the farthest fixture and work your way back to the main water shut-off valve.
   
6. Protect drains and traps: Pour non-toxic antifreeze into all drains and traps, including sinks, bathtubs, showers, and toilets. Resicon LLC can provide you with the right antifreeze.
7. Turn off the water heater: Turn off the power supply to your water heater and drain the water tank to prevent freezing.
   
8. Reactivate the system: Once the winterization process is complete, reopen the main water shut-off valve and turn on faucets to allow water to flow through the pipes again.

You can rest assured that our licensed plumbers at Resicon LLC are ready to assist you every step of the way!

More Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Winterizing Tips

• Insulate pipes: Focus on pipes against exterior walls and ones that are located in unheated areas, such as the attic, garage, or crawl space.
• Keep cabinets open: Leave cabinet doors open under sinks and in bathrooms to allow warm air to circulate around pipes, preventing freezing.
• Maintain a consistent temperature: Keep your home’s temperature at a consistent level, even when away, to prevent pipes from freezing in unheated areas.
  

Call Tacoma’s Top Plumbing Company

Resicon LLC can help winterize the plumbing system in your Tacoma, WA, home. Call us today at 253-527-7374 or request service online. Your comfort and safety is our priority.