The cold may be damaging to a plumbing system. Your pipes and water-based appliances start to suffer from the “winter blues” when you combine chilly weather with higher demand.
Homeowners who neglect appropriate plumbing maintenance during the year, dismissing small issues as “no big deal”, may find that their problems grow during the winter.
Some plumbing issues are more common than others when the temperature outdoors drops. Here are a few common winter plumbing problems and how to remedy them this season.
Frozen Interior Pipes
Cold air can freeze the water within pipes because metal is an excellent thermal conductor. Because water expands once it is frozen, it can shatter or bust a plumbing line, causing major damage inside your home.
Indoor flooding or significant water leakage are a possibility, and you might notice that household appliances aren’t draining, valves aren’t switching on, or bathrooms aren’t working properly.
Like your external pipes, leaving your faucet to drip slowly can help alleviate the pressure preventing catastrophic bursts from happening. Additionally, allow for better circulation of warm air inside the house by opening cabinets. It is also important to insulate your pipes.
Frozen Exterior Pipes
Pipes frequently freeze as a result of the below-freezing temperatures we typically encounter throughout the winter months. When high water pressure from the main meets with temperatures that are below freezing, the outcome might be the freezing of your external pipes. Restricted water flow is usually the first indicator when your pipes are frozen.
To keep your pipes from clogging up from the frozen water, keep at least one faucet in your home slightly open so that water can flow freely. If you’re worried that an open tap may raise your monthly payment too much, use your shut-off valves to shut off your outdoor water supply.
A broken pipe can mean thousands of dollars in property damage and be a breeding ground for mould and mildew if left unattended.
Clogged drainage system
You should know better than to pour grease and oil down your drainage, but we understand that that accidents occasionally happen. Pipes acquire waste such as hair, soapy residue, and sludgy cooking liquids that accumulate over time. When the temperature drops below freezing, anything stuck in pipes might stiffen, solidify, or combine with frozen water, resulting in a completely blocked sink or shower.
Pour boiling water down the drain in question to defrost the clog if you have a winter clog. Alternatively, you can call a professional to investigate what’s causing your clogs and deliver a long-term solution.
Faulty Water Heating System
Year-round, your hot water tank works exceptionally hard, but during the winter, it works overtime to satisfy the increased demand for hot showers, heavy loads of laundry, and dishes. That extra wear and tear might cause a water heater to stop functioning, especially if you haven’t performed periodic maintenance in the last year.
If you detect inconsistent water temperatures, strange sounds originating from the heating element, or leaks around the appliance’s foundation, act promptly. These could be a sign of a faulty water heater. A leaking water heater, like a burst pipe, is a nightmare for any homeowner, regardless of the season.
Even if you haven’t experienced any water heating issues, it is important to schedule regular maintenance.
Preventative Steps
Listed above are some of the common winter plumbing problems you might encounter, but wouldn’t it be better if you never got them in the first place? Here is a short list of a few winter prevention tips to help save you tons of headaches during the winter season
Have a Professional Check Your Plumbing System
Having a trained professional look into your entire plumbing system before the temperature drops below the freezing point is the best thing for you to do. They can make thorough assessments on what your system might need or repair faulty parts before they become a nuisance.
Further, they can educate you on the different tips and tricks you can do when the cold really sets in. During these times, it will get difficult to repair the system, so preventing these common issues is key.
Invest in Plumbing Insulation
Plumbing insulation are devices that help retain the heat from within the plumbing system and pipes to make sure that the water inside is less likely to freeze. Plumbing insulation is relatively affordable but it would be best to have a professional help you in installing these.
Additionally, Heat cables are an option especially when these insulators aren’t enough. Heat cables are an excellent choice for pipes that are prone to breakage. They contain a built-in thermostat that detects pipe temperature and adjusts the heat as needed to prevent the pipe from freezing.
Clean Out Your Gutters and Drainage Systems
Clean your gutters. When they become clogged, they overflow, enabling water to stream down your house and causing damage to your outer walls.
This can also cause foundation damage, water intrusion, and damage to concrete porches and pathways.
Your drainage system will also need your attention as these will usually have foreign debris and a mixture of wastes that can severely clog your entire system.
Call the Professionals
Your residence is usually one of the largest and most essential purchases you will ever make. As a result, it only makes sense to find somebody who is competent and will do a good job when it comes to house maintenance — from heating system repairs to plumbing service.
Plumbing Authority Inc. makes sure that you will never have to worry about your plumbing system. If you need a reliable plumber in King City or New Tecumseth, call us at 647-992-7473 or send us an email at plumbingauthoritygta@gmail.com for 24-hour emergency plumbing and drain service.