The winters in Northern Minnesota can be brutally cold. The freezing temperatures create a high risk of your home's plumbing freezing if you don't take the appropriate steps to ensure everything is winterized. Luckily, winterizing your plumbing is fairly easy since most of the necessary tasks are something you can do on your own.

Drain All Outdoor Fixtures

The plumbing fixtures you need to worry most about possibly freezing are those that are outside. If you don't make sure to fully winterize all of these fixtures, there's an extremely high chance they'll end up freezing during a cold snap. The primary concern if you don't winterize your outdoor faucets is that cold can travel through a hose bib or faucet to the water line inside your house. If the water inside this pipe freezes, it will expand as it turns into ice. This expansion can then potentially cause the pipe to burst and start flooding your house. In terms of your hose bibs, the first step is to disconnect and roll up all of your hoses. Then, go inside and drain the pipes using the bleeder valve. Most have a knob you can turn to open it. Make sure you have a bucket with you to catch the water as it drains. Next, close the shut-off valves that control water flow to each outdoor faucet. If you have ball valves with a straight handle, you turn the handle 90 degrees so it's perpendicular to the pipe. For gate valves with a round handle or flywheel, you turn the handle either clockwise or counterclockwise until it doesn't go any further. The direction you need to turn the handle to close the valve and shut the water off should be marked on the handle. The handle on either type of valve should close easily. However, older shut-off valves can be prone to getting stuck and no longer closing or opening as they should. If you have a valve that you can't shut off, it's important to contact a plumber so they can replace or fix the valve and then shut the water off. In addition to the pipe possibly freezing if you can't shut off the water, the other concern is that you could break the water line if you put too much force on the valve when trying to close it. After closing each valve and shutting the water off, it's important to go back outside and fully drain each fixture. This is done by turning the water on and waiting until the fixture has stopped dripping. At this point, you then want to make sure you turn the fixture off to block cold air from traveling up through the pipe and inside your house. If you have an underground sprinkler system, you'll need to hire a professional to blow out all of the lines with an industrial compressor. Failing to take this step will almost certainly result in the lines freezing and breaking over the winter.

Replace Any Hose Bibs That Aren't Frostproof

If your home has older hose bibs, it's wise to upgrade them to frostproof models. These hose bibs are designed to prevent freezing and bursting pipes by extending deeper into your wall, keeping the water supply line further away from cold exterior air. While you still need to drain any pipes connected to outdoor fixtures, frostproof hose bibs significantly reduce the risk of pipes freezing, especially when there is an early cold snap. To determine if your hose bib is frostproof, check for a label indicating "frostproof" or "frost-free." Another way to identify a frostproof bib is by the handle's location. On frostproof models, the handle is positioned at the end of a long stem, perpendicular to the wall, which helps keep the valve seat inside the warmer part of your home.

Put Insulated Covers on All Outdoor Faucets and Hose Bibs

After draining all of your outdoor fixtures, it's also a good idea to put insulated covers on each one. You can pick up this type of cover at most home improvement stores or online for relatively cheap. They provide an extra layer of protection to help lessen the chances of your pipes freezing during extreme cold.

Make Sure Your Water Lines Are Fully Insulated

Most water lines in your home are unlikely to freeze as long as you keep the heat on throughout the winter. However, some pipes are still vulnerable, particularly during extreme drops in temperature. They include pipes located in areas like crawl spaces or attics. It's crucial to wrap these pipes with insulation. You may also consider heat tape for your most vulnerable plumbing. Heat tape is an electrical cable that wraps around pipes to provide heat, preventing freezing even in harsh conditions. It comes with a built-in thermostat that automatically turns the heat on when temperatures drop, making it especially effective for exposed pipes in colder areas. Even if your pipes are already insulated, it's wise to inspect the insulation before winter or have a plumber do it for you. Over time, pipe insulation can deteriorate, becoming brittle and breaking apart. If the insulation is damaged, parts of the pipe may be exposed to cold air, increasing the risk of freezing. Look for any gaps or worn-out sections where the pipe is visible. Replacing or adding insulation in these areas will help protect your plumbing during colder months.

Schedule a Complete Winterization If Leaving for the Winter

If you plan to be away from your house for an extended period during the winter or have a vacation home, it's a good idea to fully winterize the plumbing system. This process involves shutting off the main water supply and draining all the water from the pipes, toilets, and water heater. Doing so helps prevent potential damage if the heating system fails and causes the house to reach freezing temperatures. Without proper winterization, your pipes are at risk of freezing and bursting, and your toilets could crack if the water inside freezes. Even though your local water department may detect a leak and shut off your supply if a pipe bursts, it could be too late to prevent significant water damage. It's best to hire a plumber to handle the winterization. They will ensure that the plumbing system is completely drained to avoid the hassle of cleaning up after a flood and the massive repair bill.

Contact Your Local Professionals

If you need help getting your plumbing ready for winter, play it safe with Benjamin Franklin®. We're dedicated to providing expert services in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Ramsey, Anoka, and the surrounding communities. Whether it's insulating your pipes or upgrading your house bibs, you can trust we'll get the job done quickly and correctly. You can also turn to us if you're dealing with an emergency, such as a frozen or burst pipe. Additionally, our experienced team members can help you with other repairs and plumbing system maintenance. Contact us today to schedule an appointment to winterize your home’s plumbing!