With cold weather comes a plethora of different plumbing problems that people have to face during those months. To get most of these issues fixed, homeowners have to call in plumbing professionals to get the job done. If you are a homeowner who is looking for plumbers in Garland, Texas, you’ll find many excellent professionals to fix your plumbing issues.
In this guide, we go over the 5 most common winter plumbing issues that can be a source of great inconvenience for many people. These include frozen pipes, malfunctioning water heater, clogged drains, flooding in the basement, and burst water lines.
Read on to learn more about these common plumbing issues that homeowners face during the colder months. Also, discover a few ways to avoid each problem. Happy reading!
1. Frozen pipes
Frozen pipes are perhaps the most common winter plumbing issue homeowners face during the cold season. Exterior water pipes that supply outdoor taps can be damaged and frozen in winter if they are not winterized properly.
Similarly, indoor water pipes can fracture and burst if water freezes inside them. In some cases, fractured indoor pipes can also cause major leaks that may go undetected.
To prevent your interior and exterior water lines from freezing and being damaged in the winter, insulating them properly is important. Moreover, make sure all the water pipes are properly drained to prevent accumulated water from being frozen.
In very cold places, it is also important to leave taps dripping to avoid the build-up of pressure in the water pipes.
Check out this> excellent guide to find out more about preventing your water pipes from freezing during the winter.
2. Water heater not functioning properly
Another common plumbing issue people face during winter is a malfunctioning water heating system. The primary cause of this issue is problems with the water heater. This can lead to poor water heating which can be a big source of discomfort during the colder months.
The potential causes of a malfunctioning water heater include sediments in the water heater tank, problems with the heating element, and damaged or worn-out parts. It is always a good idea to get plumbing professionals to perform a detailed inspection of your water heater and other components of the system to find the cause of the problem.
3. Clogged drains
Clogged drains can be a source of great inconvenience during the winter, especially when you have large gatherings involving plenty of cooking and washing. Toilet and kitchen drains can be easily clogged by grease, hair, soap, food waste, and other materials.
To prevent clogged drains, avoid washing and disposing of substances that can clog the drains. Get rid of waste material such as grease and hair by disposing it of in a trash can.
Sometimes, clogged drains can be opened by pouring baking soda, vinegar, and boiled water down them. In the event of a stubborn clog, it is better to get help from professionals.
Check out this useful guide to find out numerous ways to unclog drains by yourself without using harsh chemicals.
4. Flooding in the basement
Flooded basements are yet another common winter plumbing problem that homeowners have to deal with during the season. Flooding in the basement causes a number of different problems and can end up costing homeowners a lot of money in repairs and fixes.
The primary reason for flooding in the basement is rain. However, other causes such as the melting of ice and drainage problems can also be responsible.
If your basement gets flooded during the winter, try to get rid of the water as quickly as possible using a pump or any other suitable equipment. Getting the basement dry quickly is important to prevent the spread of mold, among other reasons.
5. Burst water lines
Burst water lines are quite common during the winter season and are among the major problems addressed by plumbers. A water line bursts when accumulated water freezes in low temperatures and expands. This leads to higher pressure in the lines, eventually causing them to burst.’
To prevent water lines from bursting during the winter months, make sure you close the main valve to stop excess water from getting in the lines. In addition, disconnect any hoses connected to exterior water outlets.
