We’re getting close to overnight freezing temps here in Reisterstown, and with the approaching winter coming it’s smart to put together a plan for how to prepare your home’s plumbing system for the tough weather ahead. So this Maryland Plumber has some tips for you!

We encourage customers and anyone in the Reisterstown area to “Like” the Ensor Plumbing Facebook page, where we offer lots of reminders and tips on winterization steps, starting with basic stuff like getting all your hoses off of outdoor faucets, and letting them dry out and storing them on hose reels for the winter. Another to-do for the winter is checking for any holes on the exterior of the home that can serve as a shelter and hiding spot for small critters looking to stay warm, and that plays into making sure that all gaps in your exterior are closed off so moisture and freezing don’t cause any shifting. Anyone who has one of our club memberships is entitled to discounts on regular maintenance and things like a checkup on your boiler or burner that can prevent an emergency in the coldest part of the year, which can disrupt your daily living for at least a couple of days. There’s special care that needs to be taken with pipes that are on an exposed wall and can have a higher chance of freezing. Frozen pipes are problem that don’t make themselves apparent right away, and you don’t know if anything has burst until things thaw out and water can start spraying everywhere and you come home to a flood inside your home. That’s one reason why we also suggest anyone who goes on a vacation and is away from their home for multiple days during the winter should have a neighbor or friend come in and check on the heating system every day to make sure everything is in working order. Because even one night of temperatures below 32 degrees can cause damage and create a world of problems once you get back home.