Winterizing: Outdoor Faucets and Lawn Sprinklers

As we discussed in our previous post, winterizing your home is extremely important, and taking some simple steps can help protect your home from the expensive mess caused by burst pipes. One thing not to forget is to prepare your yard for freezing temps. Winterizing both your outdoor faucets and your lawn watering systems are steps you don't want to overlook.

Steps to winterize an outdoor faucet:

1.     Turn off the valve for every outdoor faucet from the inside of the house.

2.     Go outside, open the faucet and let it drain completely. Leave the faucet open.

3.     Purchase or construct a dome of Styrofoam and place it over the open faucet. Seal it to the side of the house. This will help keep any cold wind from blowing inside the pipes and freezing them. It will also help keep the faucet warmer from the heat of the house. 

4.     Don’t forget to drain and store your garden hoses as well!

A more complicated process is preparing a lawn sprinkler system for winter. We do suggest you call a winterizing professional, who for a reasonable price can usually used compressed air to blow the water out of the system and prepare the pipes for winter.  Winterizing an underground sprinkler system is easy if you have the proper equipment. The most important piece is an air compressor. The water source is turned off and the system is drained of as much water as possible. An air compressor is connected to the piping and forces air and the remaining water out of the sprinkler. 

If you are interested in a DIY method, this Home Tips by Don Vandervort article is a good resource: http://www.hometips.com/diy-how-to/sprinkler-system-winterize.html.

Give us a call at Morning, Noon & Night Plumbing if you have any questions or concerns (773) 880-0072 or visit our website at www.morningnoonandnightplumbing.com

For 30 years, we've taken pride in providing you with nothing short of honest and to the point plumbing services. If you're looking for a team of plumbers that you can trust, put your faith in Morning Noon & Night Plumbing.

Morning Noon & Night Plumbing and Sewer offers both commercial and residential plumbing services in the greater Chicago area. Service area includes: Burridge, IL, Chicago, IL, Cook County, IL, Darien, IL, Hinsdale, IL, Lagrange, IL, Oak Brook, IL, Orland Park, IL, Riverside, IL.

Are you on Twitter? Follow us @773plumber for updates and info!

Winterizing: Pipes

Well, winter has officially set in here in the Chicagoland area, and one question we get a lot is how to prepare your pipes for freezing weather.

What is the importance of preparing your home for winter? In a climate like ours- where temperatures are sustained freezing and below- it is very important. Pipes are especially susceptible to freezing in cold weather- and burst pipes can cause some of the most expensive repairs in the home. Winterizing your home will help prevent the expensive mess of burst pipes! 

Here are some simple steps you can take to prevent plumbing freezes:

1.     Locate your water main in the event you need to shut it off in an emergency.

2.     un-insulated spaces such as in a crawlspace, attic, outside walls, etc., make sure to insulate them with foam insulation at a minimum. Ideally you should wrap them with electrical heating tape first, then insulate them.

3.     Drain air conditioner pipes and, if your AC has a water shut-off valve, turn it off.

4.     If you go on vacation, leave the heat on, set to at least 55 degrees.

5.     Don’t forget to winterize your lawn sprinklers- check out our blog post on winterizing your sprinklers 

Give us a call at Morning, Noon & Night Plumbing if you have any questions or concerns (773) 880-0072 or visit our website at www.morningnoonandnightplumbing.com.

For 30 years, we've taken pride in providing you with nothing short of honest and to the point plumbing services. If you're looking for a team of plumbers that you can trust, put your faith in Morning Noon & Night Plumbing.

Morning Noon & Night Plumbing and Sewer offers both commercial and residential plumbing services in the greater Chicago area. Service area includes: Burridge, IL, Chicago, IL, Cook County, IL, Darien, IL, Hinsdale, IL, Lagrange, IL, Oak Brook, IL, Orland Park, IL, Riverside, IL.

Are you on Twitter? Follow us @773plumber for updates and info!