The winter season can be a difficult time for your home water filters. Colder temperatures and less sunlight mean that many of the contaminants in your water will become more concentrated–creating a higher risk of sicknesses like E Coli and Legionnaire’s Disease. According to Desire To Inspire, it is essential to prepare your water filter system for the upcoming months by following these five steps to avoid any risks.
Take Care of Any Maintenance Issues
Your water filter system needs to be in good condition to be ready for winter. This means taking care of any maintenance issues that may have arisen over the summer months. If there are any leaks, cracks, or other damage, fix them as soon as possible. If you have a sediment filter, it is also essential to clean it before winter sets in. Sediment filters need to be cleaned thoroughly and replaced every few months–more often in the summer when there is more debris in your water. Most filters last about six to twelve months, depending on how much water they filter and what kind of contaminants exist in your water. Always check your owner’s manual to see the precise timing for cartridge replacement in your particular system, and be sure to make a note of it on your calendar.
Drain All Pipes to Prevent Freezing
One of the biggest dangers of winter is pipes freezing and bursting. To prevent this from happening in your home, you need to drain all the water out of your pipes. Once all the water is drained, close the faucets and turn off the main water valve. This will help protect your pipes from freezing and bursting in cold weather. Be sure to do this early enough in the winter so that any frozen water will have time to thaw before you need to use the sprinkler system again. If you live in an area where it snows, be sure to shovel your roof and gutters regularly to prevent snow from building up and causing ice dams.
Check Insulation Levels
One of the main causes of frozen and burst pipes is inadequate insulation. To prevent this from happening in your home, be sure to check the insulation levels in your attic, basement, and crawl spaces. If you find that any of these areas are not properly insulated, take steps to correct the problem. Adding insulation to your home can be a great way to cut down on heating costs over the winter. If you are unsure how much insulation your home currently has, or if you need help finding an HVAC professional in your area who can install insulation for you, search through our directory of professionals today!
Follow these steps to prepare your water filters for winter. If you have a well, make sure the pump is working and clean out any debris accumulated in the pipes. For those who live on city water, we need to check our filter systems as they can freeze or clog during this time of year. The easiest way to prevent this from happening is by keeping an eye on it before temperatures drop too low outside! Prepare ahead of time so you can enjoy a safe and healthy holiday season with family and friends without worrying about frozen pipes or dirty drinking water.