When the temperature falls and the coldest months of the year arrive, the last thing you want to deal with is plumbing issues. Plumbers are in high demand during cold months like January and February, and if you do need one, that'll cost you extra money.
A few tips that will help you keep any plumbing disasters at bay and save you a lot of time and money are: 1. Say no to frozen pipes Reduced water pressure during the winter months is the primary indicator of a frozen pipe. If there's significant change in water pressure or the water flow is restricted, you need to immediately call a plumber for help. Pipes that are properly insulated are the least likely to freeze. 2. Do not water your lawn During winter, you do not need to water either the grass or the plants. Make sure that you keep the sprinklers off and disconnect the garden hoses if you want to keep them secure and operable. If you keep the garden hose connected to your house, there is a risk of pressure and ice buildup in the water lines. If there is a buildup, there is a possibility that a water line could leak or break. This can cause severe damage to your house and repairing it would be an expensive affair. 3. Check the thermostat You can keep the pipes in your walls safe from freezing by adjusting your house's temperature to above 12 degrees Celsius. Keep the cabinet doors underneath your sink open to warm your house during the chilly winters. That facilitates the circulation of warm air and keeps the pipes moderately hot. 4. Keep the garage door closed Keep your garage door closed if you keep the water heater in the garage. Even though this may seem like the most obvious thing to do, it is often overlooked. Make sure that the vents near your crawl space are closed so that you can prevent any chilly winds from entering your house. 5. Check your sump pump Sump pumps are installed to keep the basement from flooding. If you have one, keep an eye on the sump pump's discharge line. Freezing or water overflow into the house could occur if the drainage is overflowing or blocked by snow. You should check if your sump pump is in working order to keep that from happening. 6. Drain the water pipes Locate the shut-off valves in your home as they drain all the water from the pipes that lead to the hose bibs outside. The valves are generally located near the water heater, meter box, basement or under sinks. Your access to these valves might be restricted. For assistance, call a licensed plumber. 7. Get jackets for your faucets Start with disconnecting and storing your garden hoses. After that mount an insulated faucet jacket over all exterior faucets you own. This is a simple and effective way to protect your faucets and also the water lines connected to them, from freezing. 8. Timely maintenance checks Get plumbing maintenance done annually. To prevent a plumbing crisis you need to make sure that your plumbing systems are in absolute top shape. Better be safe now than sorry later. Maintenance is a must to take care of your plumbing system if you want it to run smoothly. Problem Solved Plumbing & Heating Ltd is here to take care of all your plumbing needs. Be it frozen pipes, toilets or leakage, we can fix it all for you. We have maintenance services to help keep your pipes in the best condition. Our 24/7 emergency service is just a phone call away. Contact us to know more about the services we offer!