The first hard cold snap of the season is upon South Dakota and you are concerned your pipes will not hold up? Or perhaps the prospect of a burst line and a flooded basement on your way home gives you pause. You may be asking what can be done to put your mind at ease before winter sets in.
With some forethought in the fall one can be well prepared. We have put together this guide to cover the essentials, something we do for our customers here at Sioux Falls Plumbing, LLC as we see them across Eastern South Dakota make ready for the colder months. Should any questions or difficulties arise, (605) 937-7450 is the number to put us on the phone with.
As a family run and local operation we are all too familiar with the effect our winters have on a home’s plumbing. With that in mind, here is what you should be doing before it gets any colder.
The Case for Winterizing in the Fall
Plumbing does not fare well in a Sioux Falls winter. Water in a pipe will expand when it freezes, creating an immense amount of pressure on the walls of the pipe that can result in a crack or outright rupture. The damage from even a minor leak is considerable over time.
Yet most of it is avoidable. Those who put in a couple of hours come falltime are the ones who do not have to make an emergency call in January. It is an effort that will pay off in less stress and money down the road.
Before the Freeze Sets In
While the weather is still mild we would suggest the following:
- Put away your garden hoses for the winter in a shed or garage after you have drained them.
- Open the spigots on your outdoor faucets to let the last of the water out, once the supply has been shut off.
- Any exposed piping in the attic, garage, crawl space or basement should be wrapped in foam sleeves.
- Look for gaps in the foundation or around windows where cold air might get to your plumbing and seal them up.
- Make sure you know where the main shutoff valve is in case of a burst.
- Give the water heater a check to be certain it is in good working order before you put more demand on it.
Individually they are no great trouble but they add up to a lot when the thermometer is in the negatives.
Pipes in Exposed Locations
Those running through unheated areas or along an outside wall are the most susceptible to freezing. Do not be tempted to let the house get too cold to put back some heating costs; leave the thermostat at an even setting. A night that is particularly cold is a good time to open the cabinet under the sink so warm air can get to the pipes. Allowing a faucet to run just a bit also keeps the water in motion and staves off a freeze.
In the Event of a Frozen Pipe
You can be as prepared as you like and a pipe will still freeze. A mere trickle from the tap is your cue. If there is a chance the pipe has given way, cut off the main water to contain the damage.
An open flame is not the way to go to thaw it out; use a hair dryer or some warm towels instead. But if you cannot locate the frozen part or the pipe has already gone, a professional is required.
We are those professionals. Our Hurco liquid smoke technology for leak detection is of the advanced sort and uncovers hidden issues in short order. There is no commission on our side of things so we have no reason to put you out for services you do not want. We are honest about it.
Contacting Sioux Falls Plumbing
A homeowner can manage some things, but a burst pipe or water in the wrong place is best left to a licensed and insured plumber. We are at your service in Sioux Falls and in Harrisburg, Tea, Hartford, Brandon, Crooks, Baltic, Dell Rapids, Lennox, Parker, Montrose and Canton.
Our hours are 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 12 to 8 on Saturday, 5 to 8 on Sunday. We will give you a free estimate so there are no surprises.
Make a point of taking care of these matters this fall rather than having a frozen pipe become an expensive fix. For a plumber you can put your trust in, pick up the phone and talk to us at (605) 937-7450. We will be here to ensure your home is safe throughout the winter.
