Freezing temperatures and holiday celebrations are notorious for causing household plumbing emergencies. In fact, for many plumbing companies, winter is the busiest season of the year. Fortunately, a little proactive maintenance is usually all it takes to prevent plumbing emergencies entirely.
At Steve’s Plumbing & Heating, it’s our goal to help you maintain your plumbing system in excellent condition. Below, we’ve listed our top five winter plumbing emergencies and what you can do to avoid unexpected issues with your fixtures, drains, and pipes.
Frozen Pipes
When outside temperatures drop into the teens and single digits, unprotected pipes can easily freeze. Fortunately, you can avoid this super common plumbing emergency by insulating all of your exposed pipes.
You should be able to purchase everything you need to get the job done at your local hardware store and the process should only require a couple of hours to complete. However, if you’re unfamiliar with insulating pipes, you may want to have a professional plumber tackle the job to ensure it’s done properly.
Water Heater Malfunction
A cool shower might be bearable during the summer months, even refreshing. But during winter? It’s a miserable experience. Water heater failure is a super common winter plumbing problem because many homeowners aren’t aware that water heaters are only designed to perform optimally for 10-12 years on average.
If your water heater hasn’t been serviced in the last year, schedule an inspection with your plumber. If you know the unit is nearing the end of its lifespan, be proactive and schedule a water heater replacement!
Leaking Water Lines
When it’s freezing outside, old pipes can develop leaks caused by splitting or holes. This is especially true if the pipes aren’t adequately insulated or contain minor deterioration that wasn’t detected or addressed during the warmer months.
The best way to avoid winter pipe leaks is to have a comprehensive plumbing inspection before the coldest weather sets in. Your plumber can identify potential red flags along your water lines and perform the appropriate repairs to ensure they remain intact throughout winter.
Clogged Drains
Holiday cooking and large numbers of house guests often result in clogged drains caused by misuse and neglect. But drain clogs are almost entirely preventable, and all it takes to avoid them is daily diligence.
To keep your drains from clogging this winter (and throughout the rest of the year too) heed these tips:
● Don’t put grease or any type of fat down your sink drains.
● Never flush anything but toilet paper and human waste.
● To prevent solids from accidentally flowing into your pipes, install drain traps on all household drains.
● Avoid grinding sticky, fibrous, or overly hard objects in your garbage disposal.
Frozen Sewer Lines or Septic Tank
When the ground around your sewer lines freezes, the waste inside the lines can freeze too. The same idea applies to septic tanks. Either scenario can end in disaster since waste gradually expands as it freezes. If given enough time, the waste can expand so much that it bursts a line or even the septic tank itself.
To avoid this problem, consider having your septic tank pumped before temperatures drop extremely low. If your sewer system has exhibited any minor issues throughout the year, it’s also a good idea to schedule a comprehensive inspection with a plumber.
Need a Plumber? Contact Steve’s Plumbing & Heating
Whether you’re trying to prevent pipe problems or you need help handling a plumbing emergency, you can rely on our team at Steve’s Plumbing & Heating. Since 1985, we’ve provided Central Wisconsin residents with a wide range of household plumbing services and we offer 24/7 emergency service for your convenience. To get an estimate or learn more, call our Wisconsin Rapids office today at 715-421-1800 or contact us online.