Plumbing Tips for the Cold Weather

Winter storms bring unique challenges for homeowners in the Wasatch Front, including the risk of extreme cold temperatures. Cold weather can wreak havoc on your home’s plumbing system, causing pipes to freeze and potentially burst.

To protect your plumbing system from the cold and potential damage, Whipple Service Champions recommends following these tips.

1. Insulate Your Pipes

The most important step you can take to protect your pipes from freezing is to insulate them. This task is crucial for pipes in unheated areas, such as the attic, basement, and exterior walls. Use a thick foam insulation that covers the entire length of the pipe and seal the ends with tape or caulk.

2. Keep Cabinet Doors Open

During extreme cold, keeping the cabinet doors open under your kitchen and bathroom sinks will let warm air circulate the pipes and help prevent them from freezing.

3. Let Faucets Drip

If brutally cold weather is on the way, adjust your faucets to drip slightly. Keeping the water in your pipes moving can prevent them from freezing.

4. Keep the Thermostat Set

Ensure your thermostat is set at a consistent temperature throughout the winter. This will help keep your pipes from freezing and keep your energy bills low.

5. Know Where Your Shutoff Valves Are

Knowing where to find your shutoff valves can be a lifesaver if a pipe does freeze and burst. Locate your shutoff valves before the cold weather sets in, and be prepared to turn them off in an emergency.

Following these tips can help protect your home’s plumbing system from the cold winter weather.

Have questions or concerns about the condition of your pipes? Contact us for a professional inspection.

We can help keep your home’s plumbing system running smoothly all year.

Prepare Your Heating System for Winter

Make sure your heating system is prepared to handle winter storms. We recommend a furnace tune-up if your system:

• Cycles on and off too quickly or shuts down too soon
• Has trouble keeping your home warm or you notice cold spots
• Makes strange noises like grinding or thumping
• Has burner flames that are mostly yellow instead of blue
• Has a funny smell that persists for more than a few hours after you first turn your system on

Contact us today to schedule your furnace tune-up, so you aren’t left out in the cold.

How a Generator Can Get You Through a Storm

Power outages can be a frequent issue during snow storms. At Whipple Service Champions, we’re proud to offer standby generators to power your whole home. The Generac Guardian Series generators are the ultimate product in standby power supply. Built tough and able to handle your home’s power needs, a Guardian home generator connects to your existing LP or natural gas fuel supply.

If a power outage is detected, this backup unit will automatically turn on in seconds and run as long as needed until the power grid is restored.

Contact us today for more information about our standby generator services.