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RSSWinter Home Maintenence Checklist
Feb 4
Most of us have spent the past few weeks preparing our homes for winter. We have removed all of the debris from the gutters, raked up all the leaves, covered the plants, emptied the bird bath, put the patio furniture away, etc..
Did you remember to disconnect the garden hoses, close the shut-off valve inside the basement, open the faucet, and drain the left over water out? If you do not have a frost-free type faucet, and did not do all of the previous things, the water that remains inside of the pipe connected to the faucet can freeze and cause the pipe to burst.
Conventional faucets are designed with the valve, that stops water from coming out of the faucet, located inside the faucet at the exterior of the home. An additional “shut-off valve” containing a “drain cap” must be installed inside of the home at the pipe connected to the exterior faucet so that water can be stopped before it gets to the faucet. Only after this valve is closed can the exterior faucet be opened to allow any remaining water inside the pipe to drain out so that it cannot freeze.
If you have a frost-free type faucet you can simply close the outside faucet after disconnecting the garden hose and be finished with it.
How does a frost-free faucet prevent water from being trapped and freezing?
Frost-free faucets are designed so that the actual “valve” that stops water from coming out of the faucet is located inside the pipe, instead of inside the faucet, twelve or more inches inside of the home. Once this valve is closed any water remaining inside of the pipe in front of the valve drains out of the faucet and therefore cannot freeze.
If you would like more information about Frost-free Faucets or Winterizing your home please contact me at dkingfullserviceinspector@gmail.com or call me at 517-812-2463.
