Are your hose bibs ready for unseasonal cold weather

In Alberta, we all know how bitter cold the winter weather can be. Just because spring is around the corner does not mean there are no more cold days (or nights) ahead. As we know here in Canada, winter-like weather is always around the corner, which means homeowners need to be prepared at all times.

If your home has outdoor pipes, it is imperative you prepare them for cold temperatures. All it takes is a small amount of leftover water in the pipe to freeze. Frozen pipes may burst due to the immense pressure. If this happens, your home could experience indoor flooding and costly repairs when you turn on your faucets this spring and summer.

Tips for Protecting Your Hose Bibs

It is never too late to start protecting your hose bibs. To make sure you properly prepare them for cold weather, here are a few tips:

  • Remove all hoses from the hose bib and drain any water inside those hoses. Move your hoses to a warmer location, such as your basement or garage. If your shed or garage is outside and could encounter freezing conditions, store your hoses elsewhere.
  • Inspect outdoor faucets for leaks. If your faucet is dripping, you need to fix this immediately. All it takes is a small amount of water to freeze inside the pipe. If you notice a leak, contact a plumbing professional right away to have it repaired.
  • Turn off your supply line. Then, turn on all outdoor faucets to properly drain any remaining water. Draining it down can reduce the chances that any water will freeze inside the pipe.
  • Do not forget to inspect the water tanks you have on your property. Make sure they are not leaking or even showing any signs of a slow drip.

For extra protection, you may want to install a hose bib cover or a frost-proof hose bib. A trained and licensed plumber can help you install a frost-proof bib on all of your outdoor faucets.

The last thing you need to worry about is a flood or plumbing issue this spring. Whether you need help fixing a drip or you are interested in frost-proofing your hose bibs, Always Plumbing & Heating can help. Our plumbing and heating technicians are available for service, repair and 24/7 emergency callouts. Call us at 780-489-8118 or contact us online for assistance with your plumbing problems.

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