Taking care of your home’s plumbing system is always important, but it’s even more important when you’re fighting against the winter weather. There are a few problems that winter tends to bring when it comes to your plumbing system, so you have to be a little extra vigilant if you want to avoid calling a plumber. If you want to make sure the plumbing system in your Summerlin, NV, home is ready for the winter this year, here’s what you need to know.
Burst Pipes
The first thing you have to know about when it comes to taking care of your plumbing system during the winter is that burst pipes are a huge problem. If you’ve never dealt with a burst pipe, consider yourself lucky. Burst pipes happen when a pipe and your home freezes, which causes the water inside to expand and crack the pipe. When that water thaws out again, you’re left with a gushing leak that only a plumber can fix.
If you want to prevent burst pipes, there are a few different things you can do. For starters, you should make sure you’re keeping your home heated to a reasonable temperature. On top of that, you should have a professional take a look at your home to figure out which pipes are the most likely to freeze. These pipes can then be insulated or wrapped with heat cable to keep them from freezing during the winter.
When you suspect you may have a burst pipe, turning off the water should be your first move. Every home is equipped with a main water shutoff valve that cuts water to the house, so make sure you know where yours is.
Drain Clogs
Since most Summerlin, NV, households are a lot busier during the winter, it’s important to watch out for drain clogs as well. While a minor drain clog isn’t a big deal, major drain clogs can lead to expensive calls to plumbers and serious plumbing problems in your home.
The good news about drain clogs is that they aren’t that difficult to prevent. For starters, you should do your best to make sure you’re only putting water down the drains in your home. It’s particularly important to avoid putting greases, oils and fats down drains and to avoid flushing wet wipes that are marketed as flushable.
Another thing you need to remember when it comes to drain clogs is that some drain cleaners can cause serious problems. While you might want to reach for the Drano when you’ve got a drain clog, it’s best to use an enzyme-based cleaner that won’t damage your pipes.
Hot Water
The last thing you want during the winter is to hop in the shower and find you have no hot water. If you haven’t had a plumber take a look at your water heater in recent years, there’s a good chance that you’re due for a water heater problem that can leave you showering with cold water during the dead of winter.
Heating element problems are the most common cause of a lack of hot water. Generally, replacing the lower heating element in your water heater will restore hot water to your home, but sometimes it’s the upper heating element. Of course, there are other possibilities as well. If your thermostat isn’t registering the temperature of the water in your water heater, it could be that you need a plumber to replace the thermostat so your water heater doesn’t cycle off too early.
Leaks & Running Toilets
While it might not be the first thing you think of when it comes to winter plumbing tips, keeping an eye out for leaks and running toilets is always important. If you want to avoid spending a bunch of money hiring a plumber or paying expensive water bills, you need to make sure there are no leaks or running toilets in your home.
Leaks are a common plumbing problem all year long, especially because of the water bill increases they can cause. Even a small drip from a faucet can make a serious difference when it comes to your water bill, so you need to call an expert if you notice any small leaks.
Running toilets are the biggest problem when it comes to expensive water bills. A running toilet can cost you hundreds of dollars each month, so you need to call a plumber right away if you notice your toilet running long after you flush.
Water Usage
One of the best ways to spot plumbing problems before they become a real issue is to keep an eye on your water bill. Sure, there are times when your water bill might be a little higher than normal, but that doesn’t mean it should skyrocket. If you notice your water bill is suddenly hundreds more than it usually is, it’s time to call a plumber.
A high water bill can be caused by several different things, from leaks and running toilets to appliances that are going bad and are starting to use more water. If you notice your water bill is a little higher than normal, the best thing you can do is have a professional check things out to make sure you don’t have a leak or some other problem causing it.
Here to Help
No matter how old your home is, it’s important to put the effort in to prevent plumbing problems and spot them before they develop further. The good news is, a good plumber makes it easy to take good care of your home.
If you need a helping hand when it comes to preparing your home for the winter, Craig’s Plumbing is here for you. Whether you need a little preventative maintenance or you need help getting your home ready for winter, give Craig’s Plumbing a call at 702-496-3892 today.
