As much as we hate to say it, colder temperatures are on their way and part of keeping your homes cosy and warm is caring for your major appliances. Protecting your water softener in winter is easy. You just need to take the right steps for maintaining a decent temperature.
Prevention of damage or flooding to homes in the winter months is much easier when they are occupied. So if you’re staying put this season and have your heating system switched on, it’s pretty simple. Keep your water softener working at its best by following these tips.
Insulate
Use plumbing sleeves and insulation to wrap up your unit and pipework. You can find insulation pieces that can fit around your softener and protect the pipes leading to and from your softening system at your local home improvement store. This insulation will help prevent your softener from freezing.
Heat
Some water systems may need extra help staying warm, especially if they are located outside of the main house. Whilst it is not common for the UK to reach temperatures below zero, it is still possible in some areas. If this is the case, it is advisable to add a small space heater or other safe heat source near your water softener to make sure that the air temperature around it does not fall below freezing This will help maintain a stable water temperature in the softener.
Check
It’s always a good idea to give your water softener a quick check each day. Doing quick inspections early in the season can help prevent problems from becoming major issues later on. Look for any drips, leaks, or signs of freezing on particularly frosty days. If you spot any problems, please contact us so that we can come and take a look for you.
Bypass
If you’re going to be away from your home for the majority of the winter season, it may be advisable to bypass your water softener. When water is left in your softener’s pipes it can freeze or create a back-flow into the tank—leaving you with a possible flood and broken unit. For help on how to do this, please see our quick video guide.
We are always available to help you with any concerns that you may have throughout the year. If you have any questions or would like to book a service with us, please do get in touch.