As the temperatures outside begin to drop, your home becomes more susceptible to plumbing problems. By being conscious of these impending plumbing disasters, you can help lessen the chances of them happening in your home this winter season. But no matter how much preventive maintenance you do, remember that it’s not always possible to avoid every issue that may arise. Ohio winters are relentless, and unpredictable weather-related scenarios are inevitable. The winter weather is tough to handle sometimes, but with Mason Plumbing & Drain‘s helpful tips, you’ll be better informed on how best to protect your plumbing system this season.
WHAT ARE SOME FREQUENT REASONS FOR WINTER PLUMBING PROBLEMS?
- FROZEN PIPES: During colder months, it’s not uncommon for pipes to freeze. To prevent this from happening and causing extensive damage, allow your faucets to drip on harsh winter nights, and wrap exposed pipes in pipe insulation. By taking these precautions, you’ll reduce the likelihood of having plumbing problems down the road.
- TOILET OR DRAIN PROBLEMS: Similar to the rest of your plumbing system, your toilet isn’t invulnerable to winter problems. For one, freezing temperatures can result in leaks or a much slower flushing process. To combat this issue, only flush toilet paper and no other material down the loo. Furthermore, if the pipes leading up to your bathroom throne are accessible, pipe insulation is always a good idea as well.
- LEAKS: Never ignore a leak, no matter how small it may be. If left unchecked, leaks can grow and cause extensive damage to your plumbing system. In cold weather, water in exposed pipes can freeze and expand when it comes into contact with the air outside, causing pipes to burst. So that you don’t have any nasty surprises come up, inspect your house now for dripping faucets or small leaks around toilets. Should a specific leaky faucet come to mind while reading this list, take care of it as soon as possible so that you won’t have to think about it later on down the road. Don’t delay further in having any leaky fixtures taken care of. The sooner they’re dealt with, the better.
- GUTTER & DRAIN ISSUES: Let’s talk about the gutters and drains on the exterior of your home. When it snows, over time, the snow and ice can clog up your gutters or even freeze. This creates an obstruction that prevents melted snow from draining properly, which could cause plumbing issues with backed-up gutters and drains. Also, if you have plastic outdoor drains, you might want to replace them with metal ones. Plastic is vulnerable to breaking under pressure from built-up ice, so switching to a more durable material is always a good idea.
- WATER HEATER ISSUES: Routine servicing and cleaning of your water heater at least once a year is necessary to maintain upkeep per industry standards. This also gets rid of any sediment buildup and makes sure that the water heater is running correctly. Water heaters are used more often in winter, which commonly results in them being overworked around this time of year. Thus, preventative maintenance is key to making sure your water heater can operate to its full potential.
- DECREASED WATER PRESSURE: As the temperature outside drops, it’s normal for your indoor water pressure to decrease as well. Since colder weather causes water to flow more slowly, this then leads to the lessened water pressure inside your home. That’s why we always recommend getting plumbing inspections at least once a year.
- SUMP PUMP ISSUES: After large snowstorms, sump pumps are especially vulnerable to freezing. If you don’t take the correct precautions post-storm, your sump pump could overflow when water begins to melt. To avoid this catastrophic event, ensure that there’s nothing around the pump that could clog it if it fell in. In addition, you can test its efficacy by pouring water into it directly. If the sump pump doesn’t activate as it should, give us a call!
Relax this winter by letting Mason Plumbing & Drain take care of all your plumbing needs! From residential services to emergency fixes, we have you covered. So, if something happens to your plumbing system, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We’ll get it sorted out ASAP! Call today at (513) 298-6996, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!