6 TIPS TO HELP PREPARE YOUR HOME FOR WINTER

Protecting Your Home From The Winter Weather

While North Carolina is known for its hot summers, the brutally cold winter weather is often unanticipated. However, with the right steps, it is easy to keep your home protected from the cold. As the winter weather steadily approaches, the experts at Newcomb and Company want you to be ready. Freezing pipes and damaged heating systems can cost you thousands in damages and repairs. You might be wondering, “How can I prevent my plumbing from freezing?” Here are some tips from your Raleigh plumbing professionals on staying protected from the cold:

Let Your Faucet Drip

One common way of preventing freezing pipes is to let your faucet drip during cold fronts and other periods of severe weather. This is especially important if your pipes are exposed, your heating system is not working, or the outdoor temperatures have passed a threateningly cold threshold. During the season’s chilling weather, this movement can prevent the water from freezing and alleviate some of the pressure that may build up in your plumbing system. Even if the water is left only at a trickle, it can help protect your pipes and your home.

Home Sealing and Efficiency

Increasing your home’s efficiency can help protect your plumbing in the winter. Sealing your home or adding extra insulation can help you keep the cold air outdoors and the warm air inside your home. This can help save you money on electric bills as well as adding protection to your plumbing system and your home as a whole. Common sealing and efficiency services include:

• Duct sealing
• Attic insulation and sealing
• Sealed crawlspaces
• Air barriers
• Sealing doors and windows
• Repairing leaky ductwork and exhaust fans
• Sealing or re-sealing attic accesses
• Addressing leaky recessed lights and electrical issues

Provided that you think you are in need of energy services, consider scheduling a professional home performance audit to see where you can improve your home’s efficiency and protection.

Cover Outdoor Faucets

Outdoor faucets can invite the freezing cold air directly into your pipes and your home. Consider covering your outdoor faucets to help prevent freezing and damage to your plumbing system. You can do this by taking an old towel or similar fabric and using a rubber band to secure it over the opening of your faucet heads. This is especially important during a cold front, a winter storm, or any other case of severe inclement weather.

Make Sure Your Heating System is in Top Condition

If your heating system breaks during the winter season, you are restricted from your primary source of protection from the cold. This puts your plumbing, pipes, home, and personal health at risk. It is best to get an HVAC inspection and seasonal maintenance completed in the fall, before the weather becomes cold and heating professionals are at their busiest. HVAC professionals can examine your heating and cooling system and repair any present issues before they create problems for your home. If you wait until it is too late, you might be stuck in the costly position of repairing damage to your system, pipes, and home instead of preventing it.

Consistent Home Temperatures

Whether you are away or at home, try to keep your heating system set to a consistently-warm temperature. If you decide to save money while you are away by shutting off your heating system, you will leave your pipes vulnerable to the cold weather. Additionally, during the coldest temperatures, continuous changes from low to high settings can cause strain on the heating system as it works hard to keep up. This can potentially cause costly damage to your pipes, water damage to your home, and deterioration of your heating system.

What to do When My Pipes Freeze?

You might notice your pipes or water lines are frozen if you turn on your faucet and it does not provide water. As the water freezes and expands, it has the potential to cause a broken or damaged pipe. When you find a frozen pipe, it is important that you first turn off the water feeding this system by closing the valve shut. Call an emergency plumber immediately if you suspect that one or more of your pipes are damaged. Getting the help you need fast can minimize the damage done to your home and property.

Plumbing Help Near Me

If you are in need of plumbing services in the Raleigh, North Carolina area, you need the professionals at Newcomb and Company. Our experts offer emergency plumbing services, so you can get the plumbing help you need at any time of day. Contact the Newcomb and Company plumbers to get started today!

HVAC Repair, Maintenance, and Services

The experts at Newcomb and Company are here for all of your needed HVAC repairs, services, replacements, and maintenance. If your heating system is broken, our experts can fix it FAST. We drive fully-stocked trucks with the intention of completing same-day heating repairs. Proudly serving the professional HVAC needs of the Wilmington, NC area and the Raleigh, NC area, Newcomb and Company is here to help resolve all of your North Carolina HVAC needs. Schedule an appointment today to get started!