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The cold winter season is upon us with the possibility of Snowfall from Tuesday in various areas. This can lead to unexpected frigid temperatures, freezing rain, ice and snow that can cause expensive plumbing problems. By winterizing your home, you can avoid damage to your plumbing system.
Most Common Plumbing Problems To Avoid:
1. Garbage In Your Gutters
Clean out your gutters of debris and leaves.
All that gunk in your gutters accumulates. Snow and ice fall on top of the debris and may cause plumbing problems when you least expect it. After all, everything was working fine the day before and now you’ll have to deal with possible water leaks and damage to your plumbing systems.
2. Hose Hang Up
Store any exterior hoses for the winter.
Unattended exterior hoses can become a big problem. As culprit to larger problems, water can build up and freeze around spigots, leading to an excess of pressure, causing pipes to leak or burst. So, put away those hoses! If you leave non-winterized garden hoses outside, you may wind up with more problems than you bargained for.
3. Water Wonderland
Shut off your inside water valve.
If you forget, and leave your water on, the excess water within your outside lines can freeze. This increased water pressure can cause frozen pipes, leading to leaks when the snow melts.
Please don’t avoid winter plumbing maintenance early on. The cold conditions can certainly do a number on your plumbing system.
4. Dumpage And Sewage
Don’t eat and dump. The winter season brings more cooking in the kitchen and more guests at your home—sometimes including rowdy children with toys. Starchy food particles (or GI Joe toy soldiers) thrown down the garbage disposal can become major plumbing concerns.
While we think the disposal can handle everything, this winter comfort foods can solidify inside your pipes, causing major chaos. Throw out questionable food scraps in the trash bin, and don’t pour grease down the drain or disposal.
Not to mention your bathroom. This area of the house is not to be forgotten either. Your toilets: let’s not go there, you say? Not a good move. Don’t dump more than you have to there either.
No matter what season it is, sink drips or clogged pipes can often be a quick fix. But, let’s not take the chance, primarily when there’s snow and ice outdoors. Snow and ice can amplify plumbing problems.
