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Outdoor Plumbing Maintenance

winter outdoor plumbing preparation in Northern Ohio with Shakley Mechanical

Often times we think about the plumbing inside of our house but what about outside of our home? Sure, chances are the outdoor parts of your home don't have as many outdoor plumbing fixtures, but they are just as important. Fall brings a few important things to do to protect the integrity of your outdoor plumbing. Many times they get overlooked until just before winter, until there's an issue, or missed completely. We want to make sure your outdoor plumbing is taken care of though.

1. Outdoor Faucets -- Outdoor faucets are one of the most prone to freezing which can lead to bigger issues with the plumbing inside your house. Switching the water supply off and draining the pipe can prevent water from laying there and freezing. Covering the faucets with styrofoam for insulation also protects them. You can pick up foam faucet igloos at most hardware and home improvement stores.

2. Hoses -- Proper storage of garden and garage hoses can help them last longer. By leaving water lay in them over winter, there can be prolonged damage done. Cracks and weak spots can form from the when the ice expands. Putting hoses indoors, or even just inside the garage, can help keep them from cracking as well.

3. Lawn Sprinkler Systems -- To winterize your lawn sprinkler system you will want to make sure that all water is out of the lines, valves, rooters, and sprinkler heads. Essentially, the entire irrigation system will need to be fully drained to be sure no damage is done when the ground freezes.

4. Shut Off Valves -- If you are leaving home for a long period of time, it's a good idea to turn off your water shut off valve, which is commonly located outside. After the valve has been turned to the off position, you should turn on all your faucets and showerheads to remove all the water from them. This prevents any unexpected frozen pipes that can lead to damage while you are gone.


Of course, with the change in season it's a good habit to check over all of your plumbing for any issues but caring for your outdoor plumbing is a top priority. Drain inspections are a great way to be sure your plumbing, inside and out, is ready for the dropping temps call Prestige Plumbing.
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