Brrrrr! Now that the frigid January temperatures have arrived, it’s a good idea to make sure that your house is ready to weather the winter. And one of the most common issues that plague homeowners when the temperatures drop is plumbing problems. Freezing temperatures can cause severe damage to your plumbing, so be sure to recognize the signs that something is amiss.
As any high school chemistry student can tell you, water expands when it freezes. This means that frozen water inside your plumbing could cause the pipe to burst. While this is mainly a problem for outdoor pipes, it can happen indoors too. For outdoor plumbing, be sure to properly drain and insulate all exposed pipes. You’ll also want to disconnect garden hoses, as they can cause pressure to build-up in your water lines if they happen to freeze.
To keep your indoor pipes safe, the temperature should be kept above 55 degrees at all times. On extra cold days, let cold-water trickle from your faucets, since moving water does not freeze. Also, keep the cabinet doors open so warm air can circulate throughout your plumbing system. If the water flow out of a faucet becomes suddenly slower or restricted, this could indicate that a pipe has frozen. Keep a careful eye on your water pressure, because you may be able to address the problem before it causes too much damage.
Most of the time, these plumbing issues could have been avoided if regular inspection and heating element maintenance had been performed. So it’s a good idea to get your plumbing checked out by a professional before anything goes wrong. If you are looking for a dependable and trustworthy local company, contact Steg Plumbing. They have been in business for over 20 years and work hard to foster long-term, standing relationships with satisfied clients. Visit http://www.stegplumbing.com/ to learn more about their services and specialties.
Keep warm this winter, and Happy 2014 from the Home Artisans of Indiana!