As temperatures drop, it’s important to prepare your outdoor plumbing. Neglect can lead to burst pipes, serious leaks, and expensive emergency repairs. Luckily, a few proactive steps can fend off plumbing headaches and keep your system ticking over until spring.

If you’d like to learn how to winterize outdoor plumbing to stay comfortable and save money, stick around: Caldwell Plumbing is here to guide you!!

Drain and Disconnect Outdoor Faucets

Outdoor faucets are particularly vulnerable to freezing and bursting during our cold Durham winters. Follow these steps to protect them:

• Disconnect Hoses: Water can get trapped in hoses. In the winter, that water freezes and expands, potentially causing damage. Make sure to remove any garden hoses from outdoor spigots.
• Drain Water Lines: Shut off the water supply to each outdoor faucet from inside your home. Open the faucet and allow any remaining water to drain. This can prevent standing water from freezing and expanding, which leads to pipe bursts.
• Insulate the Faucets: Once drained, cover each faucet with an insulated faucet cover to add an extra layer of protection against freezing temperatures.

Insulate Exposed Pipes

Most winter pipe damage is caused by ice. To prevent this, it’s important to properly winterize outdoor plumbing by insulating your outdoor pipes. Use foam pipe insulation to wrap pipes that run along exterior walls or through unheated areas like garages and crawl spaces. This not only prevents freezing, but can also reduce heat loss, too, making your plumbing more efficient.

If you’re unsure which pipes need insulation, Caldwell Plumbing offers winter inspection to identify vulnerable spots and provide tailored insulation solutions.

Clean and Protect Outdoor Drains

As any Durham homeowner can tell you, outdoor drains quickly become clogged with leaves and debris during fall. What they may not know, however, is that can lead to blockages and water pooling that freezes in winter.

• Remove Debris: Clear away any visible debris from outdoor drains.
• Install Drain Covers: Adding drain covers can prevent larger debris from entering and causing future blockages.
• Check Slope and Drainage: Ensure water from your drains flows away from your home to avoid foundation damage. If water pools near your home, consult Caldwell Plumbing for drainage improvement options.

Protect Your Outdoor Water Features

If your fountain, pond, or water feature is the jewel in your garden, you’ll want to protect it from the harsh Canadian winter. Here are some tips:

• Drain the Water: Start by draining all water from fountains or ponds that aren’t designed to run in freezing temperatures. For smaller water features, remove the water pump and store it indoors.
• Add Insulation: Insulate any pipes connected to water features to avoid freezing.
• Consider a Pond Heater: If you have fish or plants in a pond that will remain filled, consider adding a pond heater to keep a small area from freezing entirely.

Test Your Sump Pump

Sump pumps are a vital part of winter plumbing because they prevent water accumulation around your home. Before the winter weather arrives, make sure yours is functioning properly.

• Check the Discharge Line: Make sure the discharge line is clear and directs water away from your home.
• Clean the Sump Pump: Remove any dirt or debris from the sump pit itself.
• Inspect the Float Switch: Pour a few gallons of water into the sump pit to trigger the float switch and confirm the pump activates properly.

Schedule a Professional Inspection to Winterize Outdoor Plumbing

These steps are a great place to start when winterizing your outdoor plumbing. To ensure your home is fully protected from the winter elements, however, we recommend a professional inspection.

Caldwell Plumbing provides expert services to help you through every step, so you can rest easy knowing your plumbing is safe for winter. Contact us today to schedule your winterization service or ask about our plumbing maintenance options!

Frequently Asked Questions

Still looking for something? Try our frequently asked questions below.

What if I forget to winterize outdoor plumbing?

If outdoor plumbing isn’t winterized, water inside the pipes and faucets can freeze, expand, and cause pipes to burst, leading to expensive repairs.

How can I tell if my outdoor pipes are frozen?

You may be able to see the effects of frozen pipes (such as frost on them), but you may not. Sometimes, sounds or complete lack of water may indicate frozen pipes.

How often should I insulate my outdoor faucets and pipes?

Check insulation annually, especially before winter, and replace any worn or damaged insulation. Caldwell Plumbing can help ensure your insulation is effective.

What’s the best way to protect my sprinkler system in winter?

The best method is to fully drain the system and, if possible, use an air compressor to blow out any remaining water.