Winterize Your Spigots!

12/16/2020 (Permalink)

Burst and frozen water from a faucet.

Winter is upon us, and with it comes the added fire-hazards closely associated with the holidays. After all, chestnuts roasting over an open fire, warm space heaters and stove-top popcorn all come with an added risk—a very, very hot added risk. And while most people begin to take extra precautions to prevent their homes against fire hazards, many forget to insulate themselves against water-damage in the cold, wintery months. SERVPRO Mesquite is here with some sage advice: Winterize your spigots!

It’s an easy fix that can prevent a lot of damage to your home or property. Water tends to expand and freeze in faucets, which can lead to cracking, and a major leak or flood! Insulated faucet covers can be found at Home Depot, Lowes, on Amazon, and at other chain stores that provide home goods. Below is a quick guide to installing your faucet cover.

1. Disconnect Hoses. This is one of the first and most important steps. Disconnecting your hoses, splitters, and other fittings will prevent water from become trapped in a faucet, and will prevent the damaging freeze from damaging it.
2. Inspect Spigots. The next step is to inspect your spigots for any damage or leaks. If you find a leak, a crack, or drips, repair the affected fixture before the freeze sets in and damages your spigot further.
3. Drain spigots and pipes. Getting as much water out of the pipes as possible is the next step. This can be achieved by shutting off the line via the interior shut-off valve associated with that spigot, and leaving the spigot open for a few hours, assuring that the line drains and all water is clear from the line.
4. Install Outdoor Faucet Covers. No faucet cover is exactly the same, but regardless of whatever brand you pick, they are usually a simple, insulated fixture that isn’t overly-complicated to install. Follow the protocol associated with your product. Ensuring your faucets and spigots are insulated against the cold is the best way to prevent water damage.

But, as always, if you happen to run into fire or water damage during the holiday season, SERVPRO is here to help! Give us a call, no matter the hour, and we’ll get your home or property back to, “Like it never even happened.”