Several plumbing issues tend to pop up in Springfield during the winter months. These problems can lead to frustration and costly repairs. Fortunately, you can avoid many of these plumbing issues with simple maintenance techniques before the temperature plummets. Consider trying the following tips to avoid damage to your plumbing system this year.
Frozen Exterior Pipes
If you have water lines going to outdoor faucets, they can freeze unless you properly winterize them. Since you don’t use these fixtures during winter, you won’t notice a burst pipe until there’s significant water damage in the spring.
Before the temperature drops, disconnect your garden hose, drain it, and store it for the winter season to avoid damaging it. Then, turn off the water line valve that goes to your exterior faucet. This is inside your home, near the faucet’s exterior location.
Outside, open the spigot to drain any residual water. Leave it open. This eliminates pressure within the line if any water freezes. You can also purchase insulating covers over the faucet for additional protection. If you are using a hose during the shoulder seasons of spring and fall, you can also purchase pressure-release adapters for your hose. These devices allow the water to leak from your hose when you have shut it off, preventing cracking.
Consider upgrading your current exterior faucet to a frost-free version. These sit at a downward angle, with the valve closer to your home’s interior. You’ll have better drainage, and the valve will stay warmer. You may want to add insulation to your water line that serves your outdoor faucet for additional peace of mind.
Frozen Interior Pipes
Even your indoor water supply lines can freeze when it gets cold out. This is common for pipes along exterior walls. Once a pipe freezes, the water inside will turn to ice and expand. Because of this, it can crack or burst, which will cause major leaks once the water thaws. You’ll know these pipes are freezing if you have a low water flow, or none at all, from your showers and sinks.
When a cold spell is forecasted for Springfield, turn your faucets on to allow a slow trickle of cold water to pass through. This keeps the water flowing and alleviates pressure in the pipes.
Leave the cabinets under your sinks open, too. This allows the heat in your home to reach your pipes. You can also install pipe insulation on any pipes along the exterior walls or in areas of the home without insulation.
Keep in mind that pressure buildup contributes to burst pipes when they freeze. Having us install a pressure relief valve on your water lines will help you avoid this.
Kitchen Drain Blockages
With so many holidays coming just as the temperature drops, your kitchen sink gets a lot of use. This often means additional food waste is finding its way down the drain. Even with our garbage disposal installation, a clog is more likely to happen this time of year. To keep your kitchen drain functioning correctly throughout the winter, take proactive measures to prevent blockages. If you do have a clog, call us to remove it promptly.
To avoid clogs, don’t put grease, fat, coffee grounds, cooking oil, or meat bones down your drain, even if you have a garbage disposal. Put these items in the trash can. Run cold water when you use your garbage disposal, and let it continue to run for 30 seconds afterward to ensure all of the waste goes down the drain. You can clean your garbage disposal by putting ice in it, covering the drain with your stopper, and turning it on.
Water Heater Issues
The water heater is another part of your plumbing system that works overtime during the holidays. As you’re heading into the winter months, you have friends and family over, which leads to more hot water demand. If your water heater is having trouble meeting that demand or not providing hot water, you’ll need our repair service or a replacement.
Schedule routine maintenance to get the most out of your water heater and avoid repairs. Consider draining your water heater’s tank at least once a year to flush out sediment and test the valve relief. You can also insulate the pipes in and out of the water heater. This prevents freezing pipes and keeps the water hot to your faucets and appliances. Water heater blankets add an additional layer of protection against heat loss, which saves energy.
Basement Floods
When large amounts of snow start melting, your basement can flood. This is commonly caused by cracks in the foundation or poor drainage.
Avoid this flooding by cleaning your gutters and ensuring that your drainage system allows water to move safely from your home. Check the foundation and basement walls for cracks and fix them before winter arrives. When it does snow, shovel a 5-foot clearing around your house. This keeps the melting snow away from your foundation. If you have excessive drainage around your home, consider working with a landscaping company to add a French drain.
If this is a frequent problem, consider our sump pump installation. A sump pump collects excess water in your basement and directs it away from your home through a discharge pipe. Sump pumps have a float switch that automatically turns them on when the water reaches a specific point.
Sump Pump Issues
Due to snow and ice melting, sump pumps are used more during the winter season. If they freeze or clog, you’ll have a backup. Schedule sump pump maintenance before the cold weather arrives. This eliminates grime and debris that causes clogs. You can test your sump pump regularly in winter to ensure it works properly. Remember that the heat in your basement will keep the pit and pipes from freezing.
You can reduce your sump pump’s load by directing water away from your home. Redirecting gutter drains or installing outdoor drainage solutions is helpful. Ensure no blockages are in your sump pump’s intake and discharge lines. You can insulate the above-ground lines or bury them underground for further protection from freezing. Keep in mind that larger discharge hoses are less likely to freeze. To prevent sump issues during winter storms, add a battery backup.
Here at All Klear, our team wants to ensure your home is comfortable and functional all year. Our plumbers can help you if you experience common winter plumbing problems. We can handle all of your water heater, sump pump, garbage disposal needs, clogs, and pipe issues. You can count on us for expert heating and cooling repairs, installation, and maintenance. We’ll even ensure indoor air quality with whole-house humidifiers, dehumidifiers, and air purification systems. Our team includes electricians for all your electrical repair and installation needs. This provides lighting installation, EV charging, whole-home surge protection, and generators. Reach out to All Klear now to learn more about our services.
