Winters in Bountiful, UT, can deliver a slew of different precipitation types. The freezing temperatures can cause hazardous ice and snowfall. This inclement weather could affect your home’s plumbing. Blue Best Plumbing, Heating, Air, & Generators has technicians capable of ensuring your plumbing can withstand the worst of the winter weather. There are a few common winter plumbing issues to be aware of, including frozen pipes and drain clogs. When you know what to look for, you can tackle the problems head-on to prevent catastrophes from occurring.
Frozen Pipes
Pipes that freeze are one of the top plumbing problems we see in Bountiful homes. When freezing temperatures hit, if there is water sitting in your pipes from previous use, there can be issues. The water remaining in the pipe can expand drastically. This can cause a substantial amount of pressure to build up. Eventually, the pressure can become so great that one of three things will occur. The material could crack or bulge, or the worst that could happen is the pipe completely bursts.
There are many negative things associated with frozen pipes, with the top one being extensive water damage. If your pipe fully bursts, flooding will likely occur. If you’re just contending with a crack, you may not notice it for quite some time, depending on the size. An undetected leak can cause mold growth in your home. Even if your pipe only bulges, the ice inside it can still cause issues by blocking the water flow.
Drain Clogs
Drain clogs are another common plumbing issue that occurs in the winter. An increase in time spent indoors, cooking, and cold temperatures can all be detrimental to your drains. The cold winter air can harden any food and grease that accumulates in your pipes. A buildup of grease can trap water in the pipes and result in a severe blockage. To prevent this, you should do your best to keep food and grease from going down your drains.
It’s not just indoor drains you have to consider in the winter. A clog can also occur in your outside drains. Unlike indoor drains, roots, leaves, and other debris can mix with water. When that mixture freezes, water won’t be able to enter or escape until it thaws.
The Top Ways to Minimize Winter Plumbing Problems
Now that you know how the winter plumbing issues occur and the damage they can cause. Let’s move on to the best ways to prevent these problems from happening in the first place. There are some outstanding preventative measures you can take to reduce major winter plumbing problems. These include adding insulation, sealing air leaks, maintaining a warm indoor temperature, and allowing water to drip.
Add Insulation Around Pipes
Having a professional insulate your pipes is a great place to start. The pipes that commonly freeze are usually located in basements, garages, exterior walls, and crawlspaces. Adding a layer of insulation helps to act as a barrier that protects against cold temperatures. With the added protection insulation offers, the temperature of your pipes is more likely to remain above freezing.
Without insulation, once your frozen pipes start to thaw, condensation can form. Once it forms, that water has to go somewhere, which is typically onto your surrounding materials like wood or drywall. Once it soaks into these surfaces, mold and mildew can begin to grow. You can prevent this problem in the winter by adding insulation around your pipes.
Seal Air Leaks
Sealing the air leaks in your home is another excellent way to prevent winter plumbing mishaps. If an air leak is present, it can cool not only your pipes, but also the materials around your pipes. This can lead to major plumbing issues. When the extremely cold outside air can’t reach your pipes, the pipes are substantially less likely to freeze over.
There are several easy ways to seal any possible air leaks that are present. Caulk and foam are common things that can patch leaks. You can use weather stripping around things like doors and windows that frequently open and close. The areas that typically require air leak sealing, apart from windows and doors, include ductwork and sill plates.
Maintain Warm Indoor Temperatures
Keeping your home warm inside is another great way to prevent severe plumbing issues in the winter. This can be an essential way to keep pipes that aren’t found in heated areas warm. The pipes that are along the outside walls can benefit greatly from warm air circulating around them. When warmth circulates around pipes, it prevents the water inside pipes from reaching a cold enough temperature to freeze.
A great way to ensure the warmth can reach your plumbing is by opening cabinet doors. You will also want to ensure every room’s vents are open to allow warm air in. Even if you are away from home, you should keep your home at a minimum of 55 degrees Fahrenheit. It is best practice to keep your home at this temperature or warmer during cold weather or when temperatures drop.
Keep Water Dripping
Keeping water dripping is one more fantastic option to keep your plumbing working in the frigid weather. You should leave water dripping in sinks and showers. It is also a good idea to flush your toilets often to keep the water flowing.
You don’t need an enormous amount of water flowing through your pipes at all times to prevent freezing. A little goes a long way. You only need a steady, consistent drip of water. You don’t even have to use hot water for this to work. Cold water can help, though warm water may be more effective in extreme cold.
While stagnant water freezes easily, it is quite a bit harder for moving water to freeze. The incoming water helps push out any existing water that may be starting to freeze in the pipes. When water is constantly moving, it can relieve any pressure that is starting to build up in your pipes. Where there isn’t any buildup of pressure, the risk of pipe damage is significantly reduced.
Schedule Service With Us Today
When you need any plumbing services, the team at Blue Best Plumbing, Heating, Air, & Generators is here to help. We specialize in insulation, maintenance, and repair services. With over 20 years of experience, we know the best ways to keep your plumbing working even on the coldest days. We offer 24/7 emergency repair service if the cold weather gets the best of your plumbing this winter. We are Better Business Bureau accredited and woman-owned and -operated. As a three-time Best of State award winner, you can trust us with your plumbing needs. We also offer water treatment services.
Blue Best Plumbing, Heating, Air, & Generators can help you get your plumbing ready for the cold upcoming winter season in Bountiful. Contact us today to schedule service!
