As the seasons shift, so do the demands on your home’s plumbing and HVAC. Maintenance and seasonal considerations are more obvious when it comes to your heating and cooling systems, but it’s also important to remember that your plumbing needs adjusting in order to handle the changing weather too. Here’s how to get your plumbing ready for the change in seasons, from Worley’s — the home comfort and energy experts in Hampton Roads and the 757.
1. Seasonal Check on Outdoor Plumbing
The homes of Virginia Beach, Williamsburg, Norfolk, Gloucester, Yorktown, and Chesapeake are tasked with handling the full spectrum of seasons and temperatures. As temperatures fluctuate, even small amounts of water in outdoor pipes can lead to significant issues. Before the cold sets in, drain and disconnect any garden hoses, check for small pipe leaks or cracks, make sure your backflow preventer, and shut off the water supply to outdoor faucets. Ensure the outdoor faucets remain open to allow complete drainage. If you have an irrigation or sprinkler system, schedule a sprinkler blow out for mid fall to avoid broken pipes in the spring.
2. Insulate Vulnerable Pipes
While most of your plumbing is safely tucked away inside your home where temperatures should be more stable, some pipes are exposed to the elements or run through areas that aren’t part of your conditioned space. These pipes in basements or crawlspaces are more vulnerable to the damage and warping that is caused by temperature fluctuations. By insulating these pipes, you create a protective barrier that can prevent pipes from deteriorating or freezing during the colder months..
3. Consider Crawlspace Encapsulation
Basement and crawlspace encapsulation is a comprehensive solution that involves insulating, sealing air leaks, and installing moisture and vapor barriers underneath your home. This process stabilizes the temperature in your basement, which in turn enhances the overall comfort and energy efficiency of the rest of your home. Plumbing in an encapsulated basement is protected from wild temperature swings, and the threat of frozen or burst pipes is eliminated.
4. Maintain a Safe Indoor Temperature
If you’re planning a short getaway or an extended vacation, or you have a secondary vacation or beach house, it’s crucial to keep your thermostat temperature at a minimum of at least 60ºF to ensure the pipes inside your home don’t freeze while you’re away.
This is also important for older Virginia homes that are chronically under insulated. If you’re concerned about your interior pipes freezing, you can open all your cabinets in the kitchen and bathrooms, and leave a faucet slightly open, allowing for a slow drip. This keeps the water moving and reduces the risk of freezing.
5. Call the Plumbing Experts at Worley’s
Having a trusted plumbing partner on your team can make all the difference. Worley’s Home Services has the experts in plumbing, and we also have the experts in heating, cooling, electrical, insulation, and basement upgrades — which means we also know how all of these systems work together to make homes comfortable without wasting energy.
Our plumbing services include:
- Water heater maintenance & replacement
- Comprehensive drain cleaning & sewer main services
- 24/7 emergency plumbing assistance
Worley’s Home Services: Your Plumbing Experts
The change in seasons is a beautiful time — but it’s also a time to be proactive about your home’s plumbing. Enjoy the seasonal transitions without the worry of plumbing mishaps with Worley’s Home Services, the plumbing experts in Hampton Roads and the Southside area.
