By Sarah Warburton

When the temperatures drop, you wrap your kids in sweaters and scarves and dig out your coats and gloves…but don’t forget to keep your plumbing bundled up, too. After all, when water freezes, it expands and can form a blockage, leading to an increase in water pressure and burst pipes. We asked the team at Alan’s Plumbing for the best ways to prevent winter plumbing problems.

Once you know a hard freeze is coming, take the time to wrap your exposed pipes. Instead of grabbing old towels or blankets, pick up pipe insulation and insulation tape from a hardware store. Start with the main water riser that goes directly into your home…it’s the most important point to wrap.

Another place that’s easy to forget is the sprinkler vacuum breaker. Cover that exposed pipe very carefully…and then take one more step. Go to the vacuum breaker, turn one knob to shut the water to it off, and then turn the other to bleed down the water that’s still in there. If you don’t, that’s the place where water freezes and expands, causing a crack and a dramatic flood of water.  If you can’t turn the knob or the pipe’s corroded, call Alan’s Plumbing for the advice you need to prevent a plumbing disaster down the line.

You and your family can enjoy your holidays in peace, knowing there’s a local plumbing family looking out for you. Master Plumber Alan Burkhalther says, “Being a family-owned and operated business for the last fifteen years keeps our operating costs low…and we pass those savings on to you. We earn your business the old-fashioned way––by giving the best prices on the good work we do. When it comes to honest pricing on the actual job, we know we’re the best in town!”

Keep the holidays happy. Whether you’ve got a burst pipe, a clogged drain, need to replace a hot water heater, or a toilet reset, call Alan Burkhalter, his brother Chris Burkhalter, his wife Jennifer, their sons Luke and Beau, and fellow-plumber Zach. And if you are going out of town for the holidays, protect your plumbing first. Along with the house key and the alarm code, make sure your neighbor or best friend has the number for Alan’s Plumbing. Jennifer says, “Our family is doing well and we hope yours is, too! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all us at Alan’s Plumbing!”

Alan’s Plumbing
281-261-1064
License M-18995