As winter approaches in Australia, it’s crucial for homeowners to prepare their plumbing systems for the colder temperatures ahead. While Australia’s winters may not be as harsh as those in other parts of the world, they can still pose challenges for hot water systems and pipes. In this blog post, we’ll discuss essential winter residential plumbing preparations, focusing on hot water systems and strategies to protect your pipes from the freezing temperatures.
Service Your Hot Water System
Prepare your water heater for winter by scheduling a maintenance check that ensures your hot water system remains reliable throughout the colder months, sparing you the discomfort of icy showers when you least expect it. Winter places additional strain on your hot water system, as it works harder to maintain optimal temperatures in colder ambient conditions. By scheduling a maintenance check before winter arrives, you can address any potential issues and ensure that your water heater is operating efficiently. Regular servicing helps to identify and rectify minor problems before they escalate into costly repairs or complete system failures. Additionally, servicing can involve tasks such as draining and flushing the water heater to remove sediment buildup, which can impede its efficiency and lifespan.
Insulate Any Exposed Pipes
Winter often brings the risk of frozen pipes, a common occurrence when temperatures plummet and exposed pipes are often unable to withstand elements. Proactively preventing this issue not only lowers your energy expenses but also minimises the chances of damaged or burst pipes. Take the time to inspect for exposed pipes, particularly in unheated areas, and insulate them to avoid freezing. To insulate you can use heat tape or foam to effectively protect their structure.
Check Your Outdoor Plumbing
Winter damage can also occur to outdoor plumbing equipment like irrigation systems, garden hoses, and outdoor faucets. In order to avoid freezing, garden hoses should be disconnected, drained, and outdoor water valves turned off well in advance of cold weather. Further defence against frost can be achieved by covering or insulating outside faucets with insulation. If you live in colder conditions let your taps drip to keep the water in the pipes flowing. Knowing the location of your main water shutoff is also important in case of a plumbing emergency. If a pipe does freeze or burst, you can quickly cut off the water supply to minimise damage.
Keep Your Home warm
You can safeguard your plumbing by keeping the interior temperature constant. Avoid letting your home get too cold even if it may be tempting to turn down the heating in an effort to save money on electricity. Heating your home helps keep pipes from freezing.
Have a professional Plumber on Standby
Winterising your plumbing system doesn’t have to be hard, whether you want to schedule a maintenance call or you want peace of mind over the winter, professional plumbers can help. By taking these precautions, homeowners can rest assured that their plumbing systems are winter-ready while also potentially reducing energy consumption. If you live in Newcastle and are looking for an emergency plumber over the winter call Hunter Eco Plumbing today!