Plumbing issues that arise during the winter can cause some severe damage to your house.
There is no denying that winter can be a big pain in terms of home and plumbing maintenance. You might be too busy snow shoveling or clearing off your car to realize that your plumbing system has sprung a pipe leak or a pipe has frozen completely. Plumbing issues that arise during the winter can cause some severe damage to your house, especially as new pipes thaw and leaks begin to flood your house. That is why it is so essential to focus on prevention. It is not too late to get your home in order to prevent winter plumbing issues that could be soon to arrive. Read on for four handy winter plumbing tips.
Insulate Your Pipes
As early in the season as humanly possible, you should take a look at any exposed pipes throughout your house. Focus on pipes you know have a history of freezing. Insulate these with specially made pipe sleeves that you can buy from a hardware store or with some heat tape. If you are unsure which pipes are susceptible to freezing, it’s better safe than sorry. Pay extra attention to unheated spots like the garage or basement. Look through crawl spaces and your attic. Check underneath the sink too. Consider calling a professional plumber to do this for you if you feel like you don’t know exactly what you’re doing. In a pinch, some newspaper wrapped around your pipes might help.
Maintain the Water Heater
The water heater is one plumbing component that you do not want to lose access to in the cold winter weather. You should do your very best to keep it maintained right before the winter, so you’re not faced with a breakdown all of a sudden. Call in some plumbers to flush the tank, adjust its temperature, and inspect it for any rust or corrosion.
Clean Out the Gutters
Too much buildup in your rain’s gutters can lead to water overflowing during a freeze or even hazardous ice dams. You will want to prevent this as much as possible to avoid serious water damage. Clean out your gutters every year around the fall or early winter, if possible. If you see any indications of ice dams or excessive buildup, use some calcium chloride to melt away ice and do what you can to keep your attic well insulated.
Keep Your Heat On
It is crucial to keep the heat on inside your home when the temperature might reach freezing cold, even if you plan to go away on vacation. If there are any reports that the temperatures will drop below freezing while you’re gone, keep the heat at about 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
Call Mahon Plumbing Today
If you still have more questions regarding your plumbing, we here at Mahon Plumbing are here to help. We have been serving the wider Baltimore area since 1994, so we have 25 years of experience to back up our fantastic service! Call us at our Baltimore location at 410-766-8566 or our Pasadena location at 410-636-7944. Be sure to keep up with us on social media by following us on Facebook or Twitter.