Winters can freeze water inside the pipes. It can cause lots of problems with your house’s plumbing. The pipes can burst and the leaking water can flood your house. There can be extensive water damage on the walls and the flooring due to the leaking water. The inconvenience and expenditure due to such problems can also be extensive. But with some simple measures, you can avoid winter plumbing problems. Here’s how.
Preventing Frozen Pipes and Related Problems
You may be not able to prevent water inside the pipes from freezing entirely in places with extreme winters. But you can certainly minimize the problem.
First of all, before winter sets in, call a plumber for inspecting the pipes. The plumber can help you identify problems and recommend steps to prevent freezing of the water inside them.
Utilize online searches to find the right plumber. Use keywords to find websites of service providers in your town or city. Examples of useful keywords are Plumber in Ontario CA (requirement + location). Check testimonials and online reviews of various service providers before hiring one.
The right plumber can recommend steps such as insulating the pipes to keep them functional and safe during the winters. You can cover pipes and hose bibs in insulation sleeves. Your plumber may also recommend keeping the faucet running a bit to prevent the water inside the pipes from freezing. It will lead to a little wastage of water. But you may be able to protect the pipes. You can use this tip in case of extreme winters.
Other steps are to install pipes in spaces with proper heating and to avoid them in garages or attics. You can also bury outdoor pipes a bit into the ground. Disconnect the hose, drain it, dry it, and store it away for the winters. If you let it out in the open just as it is; you risk damaging it.
A slower water flow is an indication that you need to call the plumber for a quick check into the problem. You will be able to prevent extensive damage if you do so.
Keeping the Water Heater and Other Appliances Functional
Imagine your water heater becoming problematic in the middle of the harsh winter! Brutal isn’t it? To prevent it, take steps to keep it functioning well through the colder months.
Try insulating the space where the water heater is installed inside your house. Ask your plumber if it is possible to insulate the water heater itself. Don’t attempt this by yourself. Only an experienced plumbing professional should handle such tasks.
Winter months can also reduce water heater’s efficiency. Your plumber may suggest removing the sediments from inside the appliance to increase its efficiency a bit.
If you notice the washing machine not working well due to changes in the water pressure or sediments, get it checked before it completely breaks down and causes you great inconvenience. Winter months can be hard for appliances due to freezing water inside the pipes. So, a quick check by your plumber can keep the issues at bay.
Taking Care of the Drains
A big plumbing problem during winters is not directly related to the cold temperature. Winter is also the holiday season. It means increased pressure on the kitchen sink drain. It is easy to just pour the grease down the drain. But it will eventually cause drain clogs. Winter months can further solidify the fat and grease deposits inside the drains.
Try to store grease in a separate container and discard it safely in the trash as per your city’s regulations. Call the plumber before hard winter sets in and get the kitchen drain inspected and cleaned.
Take care to not throw waste such as fibrous vegetables, poultry skins, banana peels, and eggshells down the garbage disposal. Flush the drain with water for 10-15 seconds after using the garbage disposal.
Get the bathrooms drains also checked before winter sets in properly. It will be one less problem to deal with in the winters. As it is; you will have to be extra careful to keep the pipes in the bathrooms functioning well.
With little bit of care, you can prevent plumbing problems in winters.