16 Mar How Prevent Frozen Pipes In the Winter
Leaks in your home’s water lines are bad enough, but what makes it worse? Well, for starters, ice. Water is one of the only things that expands when it becomes solid. This causes problems with pipes because they can’t grow like other materials (think rubber).
The cold weather brings many risks, but frozen water pipes are among the most dangerous. One night of low temperatures can turn what should be a routine repair into an emergency requiring professionals to call in for assistance.
While freezing conditions aren’t as concerning where people often enjoy warmer temps year-round, it only takes one great freeze to cause burst pipes and other serious plumbing issues.
Don’t wait around for ice to ravage your home’s plumbing! Instead, take these simple precautions and save yourself the hassle of dealing with significant foundation damage or other issues once spring comes around.
Be On Top Of Your Water Bill
Identify possible issues by starting where your wallet hurts you the most. For example, if you keep a close eye on your water bill each month, you’ll be sure to notice if there’s a sudden surge in the amount of water your property uses.
Unless you recently installed a pool or other significant water feature, the large uptick in your latest bill results from a leak in your line. Even a tiny drip can cost you several gallons over a day!
Pinpoint Existing Leaks
Once you’ve poured over your water bill, it’s time to focus that same attention on your home. First, if you know where your plumbing lines lie, congratulations; you’ve already won half the battle. Next, focus on areas with water damage despite not being near a plumbing fixture.
Do you see any black or green fuzzy gunk in the areas that appear wet? Could you not touch it? Put on a mask before proceeding because you’re likely dealing with mold. Molds can produce mycotoxins that sometimes serve as deadly neurotoxins! It would help if you didn’t disturb them, but note every location with mildew or a wet spot.
If you can’t locate the source of your leak, go ahead and call a local plumber. They should be able to help you pinpoint the exact location of your leaks in no time.
Keep Tabs On Outdoor Fixtures
If there are no leaks indoors, you might want to try checking all of your outdoor faucets. It’s easy to miss small changes in your outdoor faucets unless you use them regularly. Still, they’re a common source of water leaks.
The valves that stop water flowing often fill with sediment, don’t sit right and allow water to pass through unintentionally. Otherwise, the last frosts might have already affected your outdoor plumbing and unseated the components inside a hose bib, causing it to leak.
Inspect any plumbing fixtures outdoors and consider replacing valves or insulating the most vulnerable institutions.
Clear Water Heater Sediment
With temperatures dropping, you will surely use your home’s hot water system more than usual. Unfortunately, this extra use will put your water heater under increased stress and cause more sediment to settle in the tank. That’s why it’s essential to flush your heater of any existing residue before the start of winter. Otherwise, that residue will be unleashed later in the year and cause pressure buildup, leading to leaks and more.
Take Care Of Issues Before They Worsen
If you know you have a plumbing issue you’ve been putting off, now is the time to take care of it. Cold weather only worsens plumbing issues, and water seeping into your home will likely compromise the structure’s integrity. Put, plan to address problems early or pay for major repairs later.
Hire a Reliable Plumber
We get that no one wants to call a plumber. Choosing one is complex, and paying for good work can be expensive. However, calling a plumber is far less costly than paying for the repairs that come after a water line has burst and damaged the foundation of a building. Most calls and consultations with good plumbers are entirely free!
We advise you to find a good plumber, like S.O.S. Plumbing and Drain Cleaning Service, and hold onto them. They will save you money on repairs and ensure you’re always well taken care of with a reliable plumber like S.O.S. Plumbing and Drain Cleaning Service. You’ll never have to worry about your plumbing again, as you’ll always know whom to turn to for water leak repair and other services.