Many people are happy to see the heat of summer fade away and give way to cooler temperatures. In just a few short months, people all over the United States will be faced with winter conditions and precipitation. When the first frost of the winter occurs, the plumbing system in your home will need to be ready.
Without the right preparation and maintenance, it is only a matter of time before cold winter weather compromises your home’s plumbing system. Here are some common winter plumbing problems and what you can do to fix them.
Frozen Pipes
The average home has a number of outdoor pipes or pipes that run through exterior walls. If you have an outdoor water spigot or pipes leading into your crawl space, you have to protect them from freezing temperatures. These pipes are exposed to the elements, which means that the water inside can freeze during the winter. When this happens, you may experience issues involving leaks and water damage if you are not careful.
As the frozen water in these exterior pipes starts to thaw, it will expand. This can result in the pipes bursting. If the pipes are located inside the walls or under your home, it could be some time before this problem becomes evident.
As soon as you notice you have damaged pipes, you need to contact a company like Paul the Plumber right away. Not only can they fix these plumbing issues, you can also get help with furnace repair in North Hampton with Paul the Plumber. With the assistance of this plumbing company, you can keep your home in pristine condition during the winter months.
Water Heater Problems
Homeowners in the United States spend millions of dollars a year on energy costs. If you have an electric water heater, this appliance must work harder during the winter months. Most people welcome guests into their homes during the holidays, which means higher demand on the system from increased laundry, hot showers, cooking and cleaning.
If your existing water heater is older, it will struggle to handle this increased workload. Preparing your water heater for the winter month is a great idea. You can do this by having the tank drained and insulating the inlet and outlet pipes. If you start to notice leaks or water discoloration, then it might be time to invest in a new water heater.
With some time and research, you should be able to find a water heater that is both energy-efficient and affordable.
Clogged Drains
If you’re welcoming a number of guests into your home during the holiday season, the chance of having a clogged drain will increase. You also run the risk of filling your septic tank up faster with more people using the system. If you start to notice problems with the drains in your home, you should take action immediately. When multiple drains are clogged, it is an indication that your septic tank is full.
The only way to remedy this problem is with the help of an experienced plumber. A plumber will have no problem draining your septic tank and restoring the functionality of your plumbing system. The longer you wait to get this problem fixed, the higher the risk becomes of the drains in your home overflowing. If this happens, you will make a bad situation much worse due to the water damage this can cause.
Stay One Step Ahead of Plumbing Problems
Taking the time to inspect the various components of your home’s plumbing system is important. These inspections can help you discover problems early on and reduce the damage they do. When in doubt, call an expert for a second opinion.
