Your home’s heating system must be in high operating mode, and your pipes and any outside hose bibs must be adequately insulated and weatherized. If you are also a company owner, these winter preparation considerations apply to your enterprise as well. From adequate insulation to preventative inspections, here are some recommendations for aligning the inner workings of your business for a smooth winter.
Plan a preventative examination.
Schedule an appointment with a local plumbing firm before winter to ensure that your business’s pipes are in good shape and can withstand the winter. The majority of winter damage to pipes is avoidable; thus, by booking an appointment early, you might detect a possible problem before it arises and save a great deal of time and money over time. Ultimately, restoring a pipe would be less expensive than repairing the damage caused by a ruptured pipe.
If your business has an outside hose, you may take further precautions to preserve its pipes by disconnecting and emptying it. If there is water left in the hose and it is still connected to the water source, the water may expand and could cause damage to the hose or pipes if it freezes. This will be most apparent in the spring as you prepare to activate the water supply.
Lastly, if your company has cabinets, closets, or other enclosed locations that contain specific main line pipes under sinks or to similar equipment, be sure to periodically open these areas and expose these pipes to the central heating system. This is especially crucial when the temperature drops below freezing. Even pipes require a little heat.
Correctly insulated?
Before the onset of cold weather, double-check and confirm that the insulation in your company is enough. If there are insulation issues, the cold air that penetrates your company might potentially cause harm by freezing the pipes. This is especially important if your business has a basement or attic. These two places are often under-insulated, which increases the danger of frozen pipes in these locations.
Examine for insulated airways
If your business’s exposed pipes are placed near any windows, you should keep these windows covered throughout the winter. If these pipes were regularly exposed to cold winter air, they would be more susceptible to harm.
Monitor the thermostat
Never allow the temperature on your thermostat to drop below 55 degrees Fahrenheit during the winter. Due to the combined cold of the inside and exterior, the likelihood of your pipes freezing will be doubled.