What plumbing maintenance should I do before winter?

Before winter, it is essential to prepare your plumbing system to withstand freezing temperatures and prevent costly damage. Start by shutting off and draining all outdoor faucets and garden hose connections. Disconnect and store hoses indoors to prevent water from freezing inside them. If your home has a shut-off valve for exterior taps, close it and open the exterior faucet to let residual water drain out. Inspect any exposed pipes in crawl spaces, garages, or along exterior walls and insulate them with foam sleeves or heat tape. Make sure your sump pump is in working condition and that the discharge line is not blocked. Inside the home, check your water heater for proper operation and flush it if it has not been serviced recently. These steps help prevent burst pipes and keep your plumbing running safely through the colder months.