The seasons are changing and cold temperatures are rolling into Oklahoma. Whether you are an Oklahoma native or a newcomer you likely know that the wintertime conditions can be harsh and unpredictable here. Your home’s plumbing is especially vulnerable during this time which makes it important to prepare your system for these colder months. Areas to address during the winterizing process include pipes, water heaters, sprinklers, wells, and professional intervention.

Frozen and bursting pipes are prevailing issues for plumbing during the colder months. There are many preventative actions you can take as a homeowner to protect your pipes from the winter chill like insulation, running faucets, and changing venting. Making sure vulnerable pipes in unheated places such as attics, crawlspaces, and garages are well insulated is vital to your protection plan. You can use a variety of insulative tools including foam, spray foam, fiberglass, and wool. Another measure to take for your pipes is dripping indoor faucets during periods of freezing temperatures. Keeping a slow drip will help keep water flowing through pipes and relieve pressure which aids in preventing freezing and bursting. If you have a crawlspace another measure to take is closing your vents to help keep out any cold air. Any outdoor water supplies should be insulated as well using either a standard foam cover or “sock” style cover. Ensure that your cover of choice is flush against the wall to minimize any airflow into the insulator. Using these measures in combination is the best bet to making it through the winter with your pipes intact.

Another item that you want to make sure survives the winter is your water heater. Taking protective measures for your water heater such as insulation and maintenance are key to making sure that you don’t go without hot water access during any point during the cold months. Just like other pipes in your home, it is important to keep your supply lines to the water heater well insulated. Protecting these supplies from freezing will help maintain your hot water access. Another insulator to consider is a hot water heater blanket. Since your water heater is built with internal insulation, an exterior blanket is less to prevent freezing and more to hinder heat loss from the unit. Lessening heat loss during colder months will help your system run more efficiently as it will have an easier time keeping the water at your desired temperature. An additional way to help your water heater run efficiently is by draining and flushing your unit. Keeping your water heater running efficiently will help extend its lifespan and aid in lasting through the winter.

An outdoor plumbing aspect to think about during colder months are any sprinklers you may have. Freezing temperatures can cause damage to your pipes that may not be discovered until spring rolls around and your lawncare routine kicks up. Shutting off the water supply to your system and setting the control to stop is the first step for winterizing. While at the water supply make sure that you protect the valve with an insulation blanket to protect it from the cold temperatures. After the water to your sprinklers has been turned off, locate the blowout port. Using an air compressor connected to this port you can blow all the sitting water out of the lines which will help prevent them from cracking or bursting.

If you own a rural home your water well is one of your main priorities for preparing for winter. It is important to keep your well house above freezing to maintain your access to water. A great place to start is making sure your building is insulated and all cracks are sealed to prevent any cold air from seeping in. For extra coverage for your system you can also insulate the above ground pipes for your water well. Even with your well house insulated, there is still potential for freezing in the unseated space. You can use a heating lamp or electric heater to warm the well house and keep your system from freezing up throughout the season.

A non-home preparation that is important for winter readiness is professional intervention. Have the contact information for a trusted plumber in the event that your preparation fails or something slips through the cracks.

We know that winter in Oklahoma can be harsh on you and your home. Winter readiness can save your home’s most vital systems such as your plumbing. Stay ahead of the weather by using these preparation methods to help keep your plumbing system operating smoothly and ensure your access to water throughout the cold season!