As temperatures begin to drop in Metro Atlanta, it's important to take a few simple steps to keep your plumbing system safe. Frozen pipes can lead to costly damage and big headaches, but with a little preparation, you can avoid those risks. Here are some expert tips from our plumbing team at Dayco Systems to help you protect your home this winter.
1. Let Faucets Drip Overnight
On freezing nights, allow your faucets to drip slowly. This keeps water moving through the pipes, making it much less likely they'll freeze. Even a small trickle can make a big difference.
2. Keep Your Home Above 55°F
Always keep your thermostat set to at least 55 degrees—even if you're away from home. Maintaining this baseline temperature helps prevent pipes inside your walls and under sinks from freezing.
3. Open Cabinet Doors
For extra protection on especially cold nights, open the cabinet doors under your kitchen and bathroom sinks. This allows warm air to circulate around the plumbing, reducing the chance of frozen pipes.
4. Protect Outdoor Spigots
One of the most vulnerable areas is your outdoor faucet. Ideally, you should have a frost-proof spigot installed. If not, use a spigot cover to keep it insulated. For even more protection, wrap a rag or washcloth around the faucet before putting the cover on.
Also, many hose spigots have individual shut-offs. If yours does, you can winterize it by turning off the water supply to that spigot and draining the line. This extra step ensures there's no standing water inside the pipe that could freeze and burst.
Stay Ahead of the Cold
These simple preventive steps can save you from expensive repairs and a lot of stress when temperatures drop below freezing. If you need help preparing your plumbing for winter, Dayco Systems is here to help.
📞 Call us today at (470) 531-0825 to schedule your plumbing inspection and ensure your home is winter-ready.
