Fall is here, and work for the coming winter has now begun. Here are a few tips to help you better prepare for that cold (possibly freezing) weather.
Winterizing your Home by protecting your Pipes
Pipes that go unprotected can freeze and burst with time. Broken pipes can cost thousands of dollars to replace. Avoid unnecessary costs by caring for your pipes properly in cold weather.
To start, identify any water hoses still attached to faucets. Hoses filled with water should be removed, emptied, and put away during freezing weather.
Next, heat tape or pipe insulation can protect outside faucets or piping from cold weather. You can purchase either product from any local hardware store. Wrap the tape or insulation around exposed outdoor pipes; this should be enough to keep your faucets from freezing. If you have an outdoor pump system, even if it's in a shed, it could still freeze and cause problems if the weather is far enough below freezing. Use a heat lamp in the late evening hours to prevent freezing.
Winterizing your sprinkler system and piping
To start, turn off the water to the irrigation system at the main valve.
Next, set the automatic irrigation controller to the "rain" setting or turn off the controller altogether. Turn on each valve for the various zones to release pressure in the pipes. Lastly, drain all of the water from any irrigation components that might freeze.