As the cold winter weather sets in, it can create numerous problems with your plumbing system. As a homeowner, it’s highly advantageous to understand what these issues are so you can better protect against them. We’re going to go over how to identify the most common plumbing issues that happen during winter below.
Clogged Drains
During the winter months, your family likely spends a lot more time indoors. With more people indoors for longer periods, your home is going to deal with more wastewater. Unfortunately, this can increase your risk of experiencing a clog in one of your drain or sewer lines. Some common signs of a clogged line include slow draining water, standing water, and gurgling noises. As soon as you notice any of these signs, it’s best to have one of our professional plumbers remove the clog. Avoid draining any wastewater until the clog can be removed to prevenit from backing up into your home.
Frozen Piping
When the temperatures drop outside, there’s a high likelihood of the cold seeping into your home. In areas where your piping doesn’t have easy access to your home’s warm air, you’re more likely to experience a frozen water line. When a line is frozen, water won’t come out of the faucet.
If you suspect that you have a frozen water line, steadily reheat it as soon as possible to minimize the amount of expansion that it causes to your piping. Be sure to shut off water from the main water supply if your pipe is at risk of bursting while unfreezing. Pipes that have been frozen are much more likely to crack than those that haven’t.
Water Heater Malfunctions
Water heaters tend to undergo a lot of strain during the winter months. Not only are they dealing with colder water coming in and heat loss through the cold air, but they also often deal with higher thermostat settings. With all this extra strain, it’s likely that you may experience a malfunction with your water heater from time to time.
Some common signs of a water heater malfunction include leakage under the unit, lukewarm or cold water, and rust-colored water. If your unit is leaking, be sure to shut off the water inlet valve and call a plumbing professional. In most cases, you’ll need to replace the entire water heater because it has harmful corrosion at the bottom of its tank.
If your unit isn’t producing adequate hot water, one of its heating elements is likely faulty and in need of replacement. Rust-colored water can sometimes be solved by replacing the unit’s anode rod and flushing the water heater. In extreme cases, your entire water heater may need to be replaced.
Preventative Steps
As a homeowner, there are some important preventative steps that you should take to avoid having to deal with these unfortunate wintertime plumbing issues. Getting annual inspections for your water heater can help detect potential issues before they turn into larger problems that are much more costly to fix.
When it comes to your piping, opt for using insulation where possible. Simple foam sleeve insulation will go a long way in helping to reduce heat loss and prevent freezing. In areas where your piping doesn’t receive direct heat, like under your vanity and kitchen cabinets, opt for a heating cable. This is a simple cable with a thermostat that’s responsible for monitoring the temperature of the water in the pipe and heating it up when the temperature gets close to freezing.
Preventing drain clogs should be a multi-faceted approach. The first part is to avoid putting items down your drains that could lead to an increased risk of clogging. These include items like fats, oils, greases, coffee grounds, eggshells, flushable wipes, and feminine hygiene products.
The second part of this approach is to invest in regular drain-clearing services. Hydrojetting is a method where high-pressure water is forced down your piping. This scours the inside of your sewer line to remove any built-up debris. By getting this done every six months to a year, you can greatly reduce your risk of experiencing a clog.
Reliable Plumbing Repair Service
Linn Benton Plumbing offers reliable plumbing services for the Albany, OR community. We can also help with all your sewer, drain, water heater, repiping, and general plumbing needs. Simply call us today to book your next service consultation with one of our highly experienced plumbers.
