A new season can bring new plumbing issues. We’re prepared to help our customers with plumbing problems all year round. The cold winter weather can pose more than a few issues for your plumbing, but we’re ready to assist you.
Let’s take a look at some of the most common winter plumbing problems and how you might be able to avoid them.
Frozen Pipes
This is probably the first plumbing issue you think of when winter rolls around. Low temperatures and high water pressure can cause pipes to freeze, which is clearly not ideal for anyone who wants to take a shower, wash dishes, or do anything else that their plumbing is meant for. If you’re worried about pipes freezing, turning on the faucet could help. Just let it trickle, so that you’re not wasting too much water. Just this tiny bit of movement through the pipe could help prevent the pipes from freezing. It’s certainly a better alternative to burst pipes and expensive damage.
Damaged Water Heater
The winter can also put your water heater through the ringer. The water coming into your water heater is extra cold due to the declining outdoor temperatures. This makes your water heater work even harder to make the hot water you need for your shower. Keep a close eye on it and try to use a bit less hot water when the temperatures outside gets frigid. Adjusting the thermostat on your water heater can help as well. The water heater will appreciate the break. If you run into any major water heater issues our repairmen are ready to assist you.
A Clogged Drain
This problem may not be related to the cold. Instead, clogged drains can be more common during the winter because of the holiday season. You’re probably cooking more than you’re used to, since you’re inside more and likely need to entertain family for holidays like Christmas or Hanukkah. This makes it more likely that food, grease, or other debris will find its way down your drain. Over time this could cause a clog far down in your drain where you can’t get to it. So make sure that you’re using a drain cover and try your best to keep big food scraps out of the sink.
Septic Tank Backup
This is a problem you definitely don’t want to deal with during the winter, or any time at all really! Before the cold weather sets in, have a plumbing professional check out your septic tank to ensure that waste levels aren’t too high. It’s wise to do this early, because dealing with a sewer line or septic tank backup can be expensive, but it can be even more costly during the winter.
Frozen or Broken Water Line
This can cause some expensive damage. Fortunately, it’s usually easy to avoid water line problems. Make sure you unplug your garden hoses to avoid ice and pressure buildup. If you remember to take this simple step, you can dramatically reduce your risks of a costly water line problem.
