With winter quickly approaching in Australia, warmer clothes and heaters are being brought out from storage as nights and mornings are bringing the chill across the nation. While winter doesn’t officially start until next month, before you know it, June will be here and the cold weather will be in full swing!
Water consumption levels vary throughout Australia. Average daily water use ranges from as little as 100 litres per person in some coastal areas to more than 800 litres per person in the dry inland areas. The current average daily water consumption is 340 litres per person, or 900 litres per household. (Water Usage)
We rely on it every single day, and need to make sure that our household plumbing system can handle any elements that may come and go.
As temperatures drop it’s important to take extra safety precautions in safeguarding your home plumbing system. Insulation is the most effective way to prepare a plumbing system for winter.
Protect the faucets
You need to protect the outdoor faucets as they’re exposed to the elements. Now is a good time, before winter hits, to disconnect and drain your garden hoses, and shut off the water to your outdoor faucets.
This will ensure that when temperatures do drop, they won’t be damaged. If your home doesn’t have an outside shutoff valve or you’re unsure, talk to our team at Green Planet Plumbing about different options to protect them.
Check for exposed pipes
Frozen pipes is a common occurrence in winter. Some days, temperatures drop so low that exposed pipes cannot handle the elements. By preventing this, you will reduce your energy costs and the likelihood of frozen pipes, meaning you can avoid plumbing disasters. Checking for exposed pipes, then insulating any of these exposed water pipes in unheated areas means you can avoid frozen pipes. You can cover them with insulation, foam sleeves, newspaper, or heat tape to prevent them from freezing.
When insulating pipes to prepare a plumbing system for winter it is also a good idea to assess the home for any cracks. Check for cracks around your house. Cracks can allow for cold air to travel to other pipes that may also need insulating. Be sure to also check crawl spaces, attics and basements. This will not only help keep plumbing systems safe from the cold, but also save energy in heating the home.
Service the water heater
Before winter, drain your water heater and have a maintenance check performed. This will give you peace of mind that your water heater will last through the winter. There’s nothing worse than being forced to have cold showers in cold weather. Rather than leave this as a possibility- and face getting sick in winter because of having no hot water- arrange a service for your water heater, before the cold weather kicks in.
Despite what you may think, preparing a plumbing system for winter doesn’t have to be a huge task, and spending the money and taking the time or having it professionally done is well worth the time and money invested.
As a homeowner you will have peace of mind that your plumbing system is prepared for winter and that you can cut back on your energy consumption. Frozen pipes is a plumbing disaster that can be avoided, if you take note and follow up on the tips we’ve shared on how to prepare your plumbing system for winter.
Let Plumbing Professionals Help You Prepare for Winter
While some of these tips are things that you can do yourself, it’s always best to have serviced completed by a professional plumbers team of repairers, particularly if there is any serious damage. If you are faced with burst or frozen pipes this winter, give us a call and we will take care of it for you. Call us on 02 4911 9402 or if not urgent, you can email us at hello@greenplanetplumbing.com.au.
