Plumbing Problems in Cold Weather
There are several house maintenance issues to look out for during the winter , these ranges from ice on the dive way to snow buildup on roofs. You will get unnecessary damages and repairs if you delay to address the problems. Plumbing is a major concern because the freezing temperatures can cause the pipes to expand and contract which may cause the pipes to burst, get clogged and other weather related problems. However, there are several things you can do to guarantee your preparedness to confront any plumbing issues in the coming winter.
1. Get the assistance of a good plumber.
The first thing to do is have a reliable plumber that you can trust. It is best to select a plumber with good online reviews and can answer calls during emergencies. Plumbing services near you can be found by simply typing the word “plumbers” and the name of your city into search engines like Google. You can type the word “plumbers Toronto” to get the local plumbers if you are living in Toronto.
2. Avoid dumping oil, fat or grease down the sink.
It is a bad idea to empty cooking oil into the sink during the winter especially if you are used to doing so during the summer because oil-based things will thicken and harden in pipes. The final result will be a stubbornly clogged sink where food items will be sticking in the hardened fat which will need the use of degreasers and the assistance of a plumber.
Run Water Sometimes Especially When it Reaches Below Freezing Point for a Long Time.
If the weather has been below freezing point for a long period, professionals advise that you should run water to have peace of mind that your pipes won’t get frozen. When water pipes get frozen, you won’t receive running water. A brilliant idea is to run warm or hot water for 30 minutes or an hour.
Let your Pipes to Warm Up.
Don’t attempt to let hot water to run quickly when it’s icy outside. In a situation when your pipes freeze up, and you let hot water to run through them they will eventually crack, and this can result in loss of pressure and water leakage. Instead, allow the water to get from warm to hot gradually to avoid the sudden change of temperatures that can cause cracking of the pipes.
What’s the Importance of Being Alert?
Regardless of whether you’re a property owner or a tenant, if you’re in charge of a property then you should heed to the above advice and take precautions during the cold weather. Choosing to neglect or ignoring these warnings can eventually result to plumbing damage and this will cost you hundreds and thousands of dollars to fix such problems. You can save such hassle of having to deal with such issues by learning how to take care of your pipes during the cold season.