If you’re preparing your Beckley, WV, residence for the long winter ahead, it’s essential that you pay close attention to your plumbing system. There are several issues that are common during the winter months. We’ll discuss what these issues are and what you can do to solve them in an efficient manner that protects your home.
Frozen Pipes
When water freezes, it expands. When this process of freezing and expansion occurs inside your pipes during the winter months, this can cause some serious plumbing problems. Your pipes can crack, develop holes, or even burst under pressure. You should take proactive steps during the winter months to prevent pipes from freezing.
It’s important that you always maintain a comfortable interior temperature that prevents frozen pipes. Even if you’re going to be away on vacation for an extended period, you’ll want to keep your home no lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit. There are other things you can do as well. This includes allowing a slow trickle of water to escape your faucets and fixtures. This small amount of water is often enough to prevent ice from forming.
Insulating your pipes is another way to protect them from freezing. There are a variety of materials available for your plumbing system. This includes foam tubing that can be cut and fitted right over your pipes. You can also install your pipes using fiberglass insulation and spray foam insulation. Don’t forget to have your hot water heater insulated as well. This can ensure warm water is running through your plumbing system, reducing the risk of ice forming. This is also a great way to save money on your utility bills, as your hot water heater won’t have to work as hard.
Frozen Outdoor Fixtures
Before the start of winter, we recommend that you winterize your outdoor plumbing fixtures. This involves turning off the water to these fixtures and completely draining them. You should leave them open for the winter to prevent any condensation from forming on the inside and freezing. You can also upgrade your outdoor fixtures to freeze-proof options. There are also insulation covers that can be placed over your outdoor fixtures to prevent freezing.
Clogs in Your Pipes
It’s common for homeowners to spend more time indoors during the winter months. This means more cooking, cleaning, showering, and more. Your plumbing system may be more prone to developing clogs in the winter, especially if you’re putting incorrect items down your drains. In the kitchen, properly dispose of fats, grease, oils, and food scraps in the garbage helps to protect your plumbing from clogs. Run your garbage disposal with cold water to prevent any clogs from forming. You can also have our team come out to your home periodically to perform a routine drain cleaning. This will remove any debris that has built up in your pipes before it can cause a clog. Clogs can lead to pipes bursting, so it’s important to take on routine maintenance and preventive techniques to avoid them.
Avoid using chemical drain cleaners as a DIY fix. These products contain very harsh chemicals that can corrode your pipes and cause permanent damage. These chemicals are also harmful to your health.
Clogged Outdoor Drains
If you have drains on your property, it’s common for them to become clogged during the winter. This can occur because of ice and debris that prevent the proper flow of water. Periodically check your drains to make sure that they are clear. You can also schedule routine drain cleanings to keep everything flowing properly. You may also want to consider upgrading the type of drain that you have. Certain materials are extremely prone to cracking or breaking because of exposure to extreme temperatures.
Water Heater Malfunction
We rely heavily on hot water during the winter for relaxing baths and showers, cooking, etc. If we lose this hot water, it’s a major inconvenience. There are several things that can go wrong with your water heater in the winter. You may notice that the water doesn’t feel as warm as usual. You may not have any hot water at all. The hot water coming from your faucets and fixtures may be discolored or have a bad odor.
We can check your hot water heater for a pilot light that has gone out. If the pilot light continues to go out after being relit, there may be an issue with the gas supply or the thermocouple. You may even have a draft nearby that is causing the problem.
If too many mineral deposits or sediments accumulate in your hot water heater tank and on its related components, this can cause problems. We recommend scheduling routine maintenance once per year. We will flush your tank, inspect your anode rod, and ensure everything is in order before the start of winter.
Keep an eye out for water pooling around your water heater tank or condensation on the exterior surface of the tank. Also, unusual noises are a sign that something is wrong.
Sump Pump Malfunction
Your sump pump often works overtime during the winter months because of all the precipitation that we experience in our area. During a winter thaw, you may find that your pump is running frequently to move water away from your property. If your pump doesn’t stop running or it isn’t turning on at all, this is cause for concern. Make sure that there is power to the sump pump. You can test the pump by pouring water into the pit to engage the pump to turn it on. If nothing happens, have our team come out to diagnose what’s going on. It may be time to replace your current pump, or a repair may be necessary. It’s common to experience a clog that prevents the pump from working. The motor may not be working correctly, or electrical problems are preventing your sump pump from turning on.
Sump pumps are prone to freezing as well. Make sure that your basement is warm enough, so the water doesn’t freeze in the pit and on the pump. Heat tape can be used to prevent this issue from occurring.
You should consider having a battery backup installed for your sump pump. If the power goes out during a winter storm, your pump will still be able to function. You can also have a backup pump installed if the primary pump fails. Routine inspections and maintenance for your sump pump are essential before the start of each winter.
If you need assistance with your Beckley home’s plumbing system, please reach out to our team here at Childers Air Plumbing & Electric. In addition to plumbing, we also work on different types of HVAC systems, performing routine maintenance, emergency repairs, and new equipment installation. We offer electrical services as well, such as breaker panel installation, new wiring, inspections, surge protection, home energy audits, and more.
Contact Childers Air Plumbing & Electric to schedule an appointment in Beckley today.
