Winterization Plumbing in Annapolis, MD
The winter months can be very harsh on properties that are not occupied. Frozen and burst pipes can cause severe damage to properties, often lowering their resale value and/or costing several thousands of dollars in repairs.
Guardian Plumbing Services, Inc. is a full service plumber in Annapolis, MD. We provide winterizing plumbing service to the Delmarva region including Maryland and Delaware’s shore. We also provide winterization service to Washington D.C. and Northern Virginia.
In recent years it is estimated that a quarter of a million homes’ pipes freeze each year. A crack 1/8th of an inch can leak as much as 250 gallons of water a day, destroying your home’s interior and its contents.
Inadequate insulation is often to blame but poor line installation can also make any exposed plumbing pipes freeze in cold temperatures. Pipes that run outside your home, at exterior walls, need to be insulated including ones in unheated areas such as basements, attics and crawlspaces.
Who Needs Winterizing Plumbing Service?
Any house or building that is not occupied during the winter months should have its plumbing winterized. Guardian Plumbing Services works with realtors, property managers and homeowners to ensure that the property is properly winterized.
Winterizing plumbing offers a measure of protection against frozen and burst pipes which leads to insurance claims and in extreme cases, the property being condemned.
Our plumbing winterization service includes:
- Drain the water lines and add antifreeze solution: Now, if you are heading south for the winter, you will want to drain your water lines and an antifreeze solution to all plumbing traps. This will prevent pipes from bursting because of ice buildup.
- Tag and label water shut-off valves to hose bibs and main line: If you are going to be out of town, you will want the plumber to label all the water shut-off valves. Then, when you have an issue, you won’t worry about having trouble identifying your setup.
- Winterize dishwasher and wash machine if applicable: Without a doubt, if you want to protect your investment, you will also want a professional to winterize your dishwasher and washing machine. This is an easily forgotten task.
- We will install drain valves as needed, to assist in the winterization process
- Drain all water lines
Cost of Winterizing Plumbing
Each home is unique and pricing does vary based on the property. Guardian Plumbing Service, Inc offers free estimates and competitive pricing on plumbing winterization service. We offer substantial savings for customers with a large inventory of homes. Contact us for more details.
If you have an empty building, you should call a professional who can help you with your plumbing. When taking time to winterize your building, you will avoid common, costly and annoying problems.
Tips To Prevent Winter Plumbing Issues
If you are away from your home keep the heat at 60 degrees or more and be sure to turn water off at the main valve and open faucets to prevent freezing and bursting pipes. This holds true for instances when your home’s heat fails for an extended amount of time.
In this case, open faucets allow for the thawing water to expand and drain out instead of bursting. In contrast, your outside garden hose faucets should always be turned off during winter months on both the exterior and interior to avoid freezing.
If you detect a frozen pipe or a water leak, turn off the main water supply– it is best to leave a burst pipe problem for a professional plumber to fix. Be sure to contact your insurance company if there is any sort of water damage to your home.
Do not try to thaw any suspect pipe on your own, especially with an open flame. This could cause further damage to your pipes or, in the worst-case scenario, even start a fire.
Winterizing FAQs
How does a plumber winterize a house?
We recommend winterizing your house if it will be vacant for a long time with no water running through the pipes. Our plumbers will come to the property and empty the water heater, drain the water from all the pipes, then add an antifreeze solution.
What should I do if my pipes are frozen?
The best solution is to call your local plumber. We do not recommend that you attempt to thaw them on your own. A trained professional has the tools to attempt to thaw them without making them burst.
What temperature should I leave my house so my pipes do not freeze?
It is a good idea to set your thermostat between 65 and 68 degrees. This will help keep your house warm enough to avoid frozen pipes.
Should I leave my faucets open if the pipes are frozen?
It is always a good idea to open the faucets if the pipes are frozen. As they thaw, the water will begin to flow through the frozen area. This will help melt the ice faster and prevent bursting pipes.
Should I shut off the main water supply for a vacant house?
It may be easier to winterize a vacant house since no one will need to use it. We do recommend turning off the main water supply if it is an option. This can prevent many major accidents. The properly may lose electricity leaving it without heat. Pipes can freeze fast in freezing temperatures.
Call Guardian Plumbing in Annapolis, MD Today
Guardian Plumbing of Annapolis, Maryland has the experience and technical knowledge to service all of you home’s plumbing needs. We also offer emergency service for any potential plumbing disasters, including frozen pipes.
