Winter Plumbing Tips for Commercial Buildings
Winter can be a dangerous time for plumbing and piping in commercial buildings. Prepping the plumbing is an important part of preventative maintenance and getting the building ready for the winter season. Below we have a list of some important winter plumbing tips you or the maintenance staff should go through before temperatures start to drop.
Why Prep for Winter?
You might be asking yourself, why do I need to do all of these checks before winter sets in? Well the cold air can cause a multitude of smaller problems or simple mistakes that can turn into a larger issue. When water is left in pipes and the temperature drops it can freeze. Water expands in volume when frozen and that expansion can cause pipes to burst. Even exposed plumbing to the outdoor cold can cause pipes to crack and break from the extreme temperature.
Check Pipe Integrity
You will want to make sure you are checking all of your piping and plumbing for any leaks or cracks. A damaged pipe can be weak and when the weather gets colder it could damage it further. Replace any plumbing that is leaking or damaged. Even if the leak seems small, it could cause bigger problems down the line. Better to have all pipes in top working condition before the winter frost sets in.
Another portion of checking the piping is making sure you check for any mold or mildew build-up. This can cause excess moisture around piping and that could freeze in the colder temperatures. It also builds-up in broken or cracked piping and can then further contaminate the water supply or water pressure.
Reliable Plumbers
Even with winter plumbing preparations, problems can still happen. If a pipe bursts or a leak does develop over the winter you want a reliable plumbing company that you know and trust. Have a company’s contact information at the ready in case of emergencies. Some even offer maintenance before the cold season so you can get familiar with them.
Set Up Freeze Protection
If your commercial building doesn’t already have insulation around important and vulnerable plumbing that is the first step in setting up preventative measures. Insulate any pipes that are at risk of freezing and any spigots that are near cold spots. If you have any freeze protection valves you will want to give those a thorough inspection.
Drain Outdoor Plumbing
Once evening temperatures begin to drop it’s important to start draining any outdoor sprinklers or spigots. Detach any hoses and make sure all the water is out of them so nothing gets frozen internally. If your commercial building has any hoses or spigots attached to the building it would be a good idea to drain them and cover them for the winter. Keeping them covered will help insulate and prevent any frost from damaging the metal.
Furnace/Water Heat Inspection
Checking your furnace might not be a part of the normal plumbing checklist, but it is an important part of the plumbing. Make sure the furnace is up and running and connected to every room. Even unused rooms should be kept at a normal temperature in the winter to prevent any pipes that are connected to the room from bursting. Your furnace is the essential work horse in keeping the building and plumbing safe during the cold season. Check out our HVAC parts for any replacement pieces you might need to keep the furnace functional for winter.
In addition to the furnace, the water heater should get a thorough check and any maintenance before it starts to get cold. Getting your water heater checked out for any repairs or replacement is important to do before it gets cold. Having it checked for sediment build-up and rusting will prevent issues further down the line.