It's Time to Winterize Your Outdoor Plumbing

It's Time to Winterize Your Outdoor Plumbing

New Jersey Homeowners know that when you're not paying attention the cold weather sneaks up on us! Here in NJ, we recommend the following useful tips:

Locate the shutoff valve inside your home for any outdoor line and turn it off.

• Go to the hose faucet outside. If your garden hose is attached, remove it. (You may wish to bring the hose into your garage or shed so that it won't split and freeze)
  
• Turn on the hose faucet outside. You may notice residual water draining from the 'hose bib'. Leave this faucet 'open' so that the line won't expand and ultimately split.

Cabana and Pool Owners : Winterize any and all exterior lines. Likely the services of a professional may be required here. Any remaining water may cause damage over the winter to lines and/or fixtures. A compressor is recommended.

Pond Owners: Be sure you have a pond heater to sustain your outdoor fish. This automatic device will maintain a suitable temperature for your pond and keep a 'hole' in any snow or ice so that toxins don't build in the pond and cause the fish to die. It's a horrible thing to find 'fish-sicles" after the first freeze when you've forgotten to place the heater in the pond.

Underground Sprinkler Systems: Call the company that maintains your system to winterize these fragile lines.

As an extra layer of protection, it is wise to use a compressor to 'blow' the water out of any outdoor lines.

Call your professional plumbing contractor. Before you know it, spring will return and you can start the process over again.




By Bonnie Bornstein Fertel
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3183589