By following Pickerington Plumbing & Drain‘s tips on preparing your plumbing for winter conditions and performing routine maintenance, you can help winterize your home and prevent many plumbing problems. However, some issues are impossible to predict or stop, no matter how much preparation you do. Whether it be a sudden pipe burst in the dead of winter or a slow drain that gradually gets worse over time, our team of experts is here to help solve any and all of your plumbing woes.
WHY IS YOUR PLUMBING SUSCEPTIBLE TO PLUMBING PROBLEMS IN THE WINTER?
- GUTTER & DRAIN PROBLEMS: Drains and gutters are often overlooked when it comes to home maintenance, but they play a crucial role in preventing water damage. In the winter, these systems are susceptible to freezing or being blocked by snow and ice. This can establish a barricade that prevents melted snow from draining as it should, causing issues like backed-up gutters and drains. To prevent this problem before it starts, you ought to replace any plastic outdoor drains with metal ones. They’re significantly stronger than plastic and won’t fold under the strain of built-up ice.
- SUMP PUMP PROBLEMS: Follow these steps to make sure your sump pump is ready for when the water starts to thaw. Remove any debris around or near the pump so it can’t get clogged if it falls in; a good way to tell if it’s effective is by pouring some water into the area. If your sump pump doesn’t turn on, contact us, and we’ll come to diagnose the issue!
- FROZEN PIPE PROBLEMS: Taking a couple of measures now will save you the headache of dealing with frozen pipes during winter. Let your taps drip overnight whenever it gets below freezing, and insulate any exposed pipes. By doing these things today, the likelihood of plumbing problems occurring can be greatly reduced.
- TOILET OR DRAIN PROBLEMS: Since toilets are more likely to freeze and leak during winter, only flush toilet paper down the toilet. Cold water will flow much more gradually, so following this tip could greatly decrease the chances of you having to deal with an unwelcome toilet clog.
- LEAK PROBLEMS: No matter the size of a leak, it is best to take care of it ASAP. If you do not take care of the problem right away, worsening over time is guaranteed, which will cause more extensive damage to your plumbing system, including possible burst pipes when water in uninsulated exposed pipes freezes in cold weather. To save yourself money and grief down the road, check for leaks periodically and take care of fixtures immediately if you do find that they are leaking.
- WATER HEATER PROBLEMS: Servicing your water heater once a year is not only recommended per industry standards but also stops sediment buildup and keeps the machine running correctly. Due to the high usage of water heaters in winter, water heaters tend to work much harder to compensate for the colder temperatures. Therefore, preventative maintenance is especially important at this time of year.
- DECREASED WATER PRESSURE PROBLEMS: Typically, we suggest that homeowners check their pipes before winter to avoid any plumbing disasters! Water pressure generally falls when it starts getting colder out because water molecules move more slowly in lower temperatures. So, be sure to get your pipes checked by a professional at least once a year to prevent any big problems!
Don’t let plumbing issues ruin your winter! Pickerington Plumbing & Drain offers a wide range of services to help you, from fixing leaks to unclogging drains. So, if you’re experiencing any problems, simply give us a call, and we’ll take care of it right away! Call today at (614) 350-1955, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!
