During the winter, the risks of plumbing disasters increase without many homeowners knowing it. You can see outdoor pipes freeze and know when a kitchen drain is clogged. However, problems that occur behind the walls or underground aren’t so easy to recognize. Here are a few of the most common plumbing problems that occur during the winter.
1. Frozen Pipes
Indoor and outdoor pipes can become frozen, particularly overnight when temperatures dip to below freezing. This introduces the risk that pipes will burst, which will cause flooding inside or outside of the home. Flooding leads to water damage to the property’s walls, floors, ceilings, and electrical devices. Thawing is one solution to fix frozen pipes, but the best solution is to insulate the pipes and prevent freezing in the first place.
2. Clogged Kitchen Drains
During the winter, most people are busy filling their kitchens with food and using the sink to cook their holiday dinners. The kitchen drain is more likely to be clogged with food waste and overwork the garbage disposal. It’s recommended that you maintain the drain at least once a year and clear any blockage using a hydro-jetting system.
3. Water Heater Problems
During the holiday season, few plumbing problems are more noticeable than a broken water heater. This results in freezing cold showers and only cold water streaming from the faucets. Scheduling a regular water heater inspection will help you avoid hot water issues and get the most out of your water heater.
4. Outdoor Drain Problems
An outdoor drain can freeze and break due to its expanding and contracting. This may lead to flooding if it can no longer move groundwater away from the home. If a drain is damaged, one solution is to install a new, metal drain in place of a plastic one that breaks more easily.
5. Sump Pump Backup
A heavy snowfall may overload a home’s sump pump and cause it to overflow. Before the cold season begins, maintain the sump pump by clearing away clogs and debris. To prevent the sump pit and pipes from freezing, leave the heater on in the basement.
6. Frozen Septic Tank or Lines
Septic tanks and lines that are left outdoors are not protected by soil from frozen conditions. The main line that connects to the septic tank can become frozen. If the tank is already full, the system can back up and cause sewer leaks after it freezes. Insulating the lines or tank with soil will prevent freezing.
Contact a Quality Professional Before Winter Comes
Every winter, millions of household pipes freeze, burst, and cause thousands of dollars in damages. The top reason why so many problems occur during winter is not providing regular maintenance for your plumbing system. Assure Plumbing & Septic provides repairs and winterization plumbing services in Richmond, VA. Contact us for an evaluation and quote today.