As Christmas approaches, many of us are in the midst of the holiday season. Forget Santa’s list – each of us has plenty on our holiday to-do lists! Well, we’ve got a few items to add to that list, and (surprise!) they have to do with plumbing.
While you’re rushing around doing last-minute shopping, card-writing, decorating, baking and more, remember to take care of your home as well. If you’re leaving Raleigh for the holidays, take these measures to guard your pipes from freezing while you’re away celebrating.
Here are a few items to add to that to-do list before you jet off to see the relatives:
Check your outdoor faucets to make sure they’re turned off and insulated.
Disconnect any outdoor hoses.
Set your thermostat to a reasonable temperature (around 70 degrees) instead of turning it down super low.
Open cabinets under your sinks to let warm air circulate around the pipes.
Let your faucets run at a slow drip while you’re away – water running through the pipes will keep them from freezing. Put a bucket under the tap to collect the water so you can use it for watering plants when you return.
Did you make your list and check it twice? Happy holidays from Progressive Plumbing and Piping!
This time of year, it’s important to prepare your home for cold weather. During the winter, home maintenance costs can add up from burst plumbing and piping, high heating bills and more. We may be in the South, but Raleigh winter temperatures can still cause significant damage! This video has a simple rundown of some helpful tips for winterizing your home to avoid a costly winter:
Hope you found it helpful – if you need help winterizing your home, give us a call!
As we head into autumn, there are a few preventative measures you can take to steer clear of cold-weather plumbing hassles. Do these things before the freezing temperatures hit and save yourself a headache come winter!
Pay some special attention to your water heater – it’ll be working harder during colder months. Flush out your heater and remove any buildup (it reduces efficiency).
Set the thermostat on your water heater to 120 degrees for best performance.
Disconnect outdoor water hoses. If the hoses stay connected and water inside them freezes, it can cause connecting pipes to crack or break.
Check for drips or leaks from outside faucets. If you find a leak, call Progressive Plumbing and Piping. We’ll fix it, preventing freezing water from causing pipe breaks later on.
Insulate pipes that are exposed to cold temperatures, like in the basement or garage.
Now that you’ve checked off this list, go enjoy the fall weather!
