Winter is here which means snowfalls, early sunsets and cold temperatures. Although the snowflakes and holiday traditions can make winter a magical season, it can also wreak havoc on your home! Take a proactive approach to protecting your home this season from these 5 common winter plumbing problems.
Frozen pipes
When the temps dip below freezing, leave a steady drip of water running from the faucet and leave your cabinet doors open. Avoid setting your thermostat too low while you’re away for the holidays. The money saved won’t be worth the inconvenience of returning home to find standing water in the kitchen.Know where your main water supply is. If your pipes freeze or burst, shut off your main water supply and call your local plumber immediately.
Broken water line
Water line leaks and breaks are common due to a frozen garden hose. Cover irrigation systems and disconnect hoses to protect your home from freeze ups. Clear lines of standing water and turn off any outside water prior to winter settling in.
Strained water heater
No one wants to wake up on a chilly morning to a cold shower! Make sure that your water heater is serviced and that you keep the area as warm as possible. Beef up your insulation and add caulking to windows to minimize cold drafts. Whether you find no hot water, a low flow or no flow at all, a plumber can help find a solution and get you back to those toasty showers in no time.
Clogged drains
While temperature does not directly cause your drain to become clogged, the holiday season appears to increase the likelihood of your system getting plugged up. With the large holiday meals and your entire family gathering at your house, garbage disposals and drains can experience significant pressure. Don’t stuff the rest of your aunt’s “special” recipe down the garbage disposal and avoid pouring grease or oil down the sink. If you notice a slow drain, get a plumber out to your home before it gets any worse!
Malfunctioning sump pump
When exposed to extreme winter weather conditions, your sump pump discharge line can freeze and stop working, causing water to enter your basement and cause flooding. If you notice that your sump pump isn’t functioning properly, let your plumber inspect it before it damages your basement and foundation.
Don’t let a plumbing issue throw a wrench in your holiday plans and interrupt the enchantment of the winter season. Winterize your home and prepare for the harsh Midwest winter in order to avoid costly plumbing problems. In case of an emergency, have the number of your trusted plumber ready to go, so that you don’t waste time getting the help that you need.
I’ve been surfing online more than 2 hours today, yet I never found any
interesting article like yours. It’s pretty worth
enough for me. Personally, if all site owners and bloggers made good content as
you did, the web will be much more useful than ever
before.
Check out my page plumber emergency
I’m glad you talked about how to avoid clogging your home’s plumbing system over the holidays. Recently, my wife and I realized how our drains keep getting clogged. We think we’ve got a serious plumbing issue, so we’ll be sure to look for a professional’s help and follow your maintenance tips! Thanks for the advice on how to prevent costly plumbing repairs.
Thanks for helping me understand that the garbage disposals and drains would be put under a lot of pressure due to all the meals for the holidays. With that in mind, I must hire a sewer repair service before the festivities to ensure that the system is ready for the events. I would actually hold a dinner party for my relatives in my home, so this would really be necessary just to keep our system in good condition.
I’m not that much of a internet reader to be honest but your blogs really nice, keep
it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your website to come back later.
Many thanks