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Did you know that some plumbing problems happen more often in the winter than at other times of the year? There are a number of reasons why this occurs. The most important thing is that, as a homeowner, you know what to look for and how to deal with any problems that come up.
If you experience a plumbing difficulty or plumbing emergency this winter, call us at Lightfoot Mechanical to take care of them fast!
Frozen Pipes
If temperatures drop, the water in your pipes can freeze. This often happens with pipes that run along the insides of outside walls or ones running through uninsulated areas, like basements, garages, or attics. When water freezes, it expands. This puts pressure on your pipes. If it creates too much pressure, the pipe will crack. Then, when things thaw out, you end up with a watery mess to clean and a pipe to repair.
Avoid this by wrapping pipes with insulation and keeping your heater set to at least 50 degrees — even when you are out of town! For more help, check out this blog post that’s devoted to what to do about frozen pipes!
Water Line Breaks
Sometimes, pipes freeze even when you do everything right to keep them thawed. This can cause problems from tiny leaks to huge amounts of water spraying everywhere. As soon as you see signs of a leak, turn off your water, then call to fix it fast. Call ASAP because cleaning up after water damage can be difficult and costly.
Clogged Drains
With all holiday parties and family visits occurring over the holidays, it should be no surprise that drains get clogged in the winter. Make sure that your long-term guests know how to use your plumbing so that this doesn’t happen. Remind them, for example, not to flush feminine products or tell them to put coffee grounds in the trash can and not down your garbage disposal.
If you do end up with a clogged drain, don’t panic. Call our team at Lightfoot Mechanical and we’ll send out a drain cleaning expert to resolve the issue. Before you know it, the clog will be gone and you’ll be back to normal.
Disappearing Hot Water
When your hot water travels through cold pipes to get to wherever you need it, it can seem like the water heater isn’t working. Try turning up the temperature on the water heater or letting the hot water run for a couple of minutes before you use it.
If you have a lot of people visiting your home, you may need to schedule hot water usage so that the water heater has time to produce enough hot water for everyone. That way no one ends up taking a cold shower!
Weatherford Plumbing Pros
No matter what is going on with your plumbing this winter, you can rely on our skilled plumbers to make any necessary repairs as soon as possible. We’ll work with you to keep your plumbing running normally, no matter what. Stop feeling anxious and get our team working on your side ASAP!