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Whether you will be home for the winter or whether it is your vacation home that will be left empty in the weather, you can protect your home plumbing system from cold weather damage. Before sub-zero temperatures set in, do a thorough check for any leaks or other flaws that can worsen in the weather. You don’t want to return home from your New Year party to a flooded basement because of a frozen pipe.

Preventing frozen pipes
Frozen pipes that leak or burst can cause huge damage in terms of replacement costs. But you can actually prevent it with a few simple measures.

1. Exposed pipes must be insulated. If there are heat tapes at the seals, make sure they are secure and untangled. If they are damaged in any way, replace them. Heat loss from the tapes are sure to cause pipes to freeze.
2. Check your insulation tubing to make sure there is no wear and tear. If there are holes or splits, replace them. If you have been following the regular maintenace advice of replacing them once every 3 years, then you should not have a problem at all.

Winterization of vacation homes
If you are leaving your home vacated for long term, you may have to take some extra measures.

1. Empty your swimming pool and shut off outdoor valves.
2. Shut off valves to the washing machine. Drain hoses used outside and inside the house.
3. Drain the faucets that supply water to your home. Shut off the valves.
4. It is not recommended that you use antifreeze, since it can be harmful for the environment.

Preparing the boiler system
You should check your boiling system as well. Remember that hot water pipes can freeze as well as cold water pipes if there is no water running through them. Run the boiler for a few cycles. Check for any air that is trapped. If there is too much knocking, bleed the system.

As long as you can take these precautions before freezing temperatures set in and the hard winds begin to blow regularly, you should be able to prevent a huge amount of damage to your home. It is also a good idea to carry out regular maintenace checks for your plumbing. Herndon VA professionals can be a great help in carrying out regular checks of your system so that you can see out your winters without any disaster.

Plumbing Herndon, VA- Do you need maintenance and repairs for your plumbing? Herndon, VA residents go to M.E. Flow Inc. for their needs. You can call them at 703 – 250 – 3569