Some people say winter and plumbing issues go hand in hand. There’s a number of reasons why one might agree with that. Harsh winter temperatures are not to be taken lightly; Chicago residents don’t need further elaboration on that. These temperatures can easily freeze the water running through your pipelines. Since you’re reading this, we assume that you’re wondering what the most common winter plumbing problems are. Also, you might want to find out if there is a way to fix them without much hassle? Needless to say, you’re at the right address. In the article below, we’ll show you everything there’s to know about the awkward relationship between plumbing issues and winter. Stay tuned!
FROZEN PIPES
One of the most common winter plumbing problems concerns frozen pipes. If it gets so cold that the pipes freeze, it’s best you notice the issue before the pipes burst. If a burst occurs after the water’s been backing up for too long, that’s certainly not good. It can easily cause severe damage (worth thousands of dollars in repairs) in minutes. Insulating the pipes is one of the ways you can prevent this problem from showing up. Still, if your pipes aren’t insulated, you’d want to pay attention to the flow coming from your showers or sinks. If you notice it’s way too slow or gentle, that might as well mean your pipes are already frozen. When that happens, your best bet is to turn off the water and contact professionals to handle the issue.
If you notice the water flow being way too slow in your showers and sinks, it might mean the pipes have already frozen.
LEAKS AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM
Leaks in your waterline can occur during any period of the year. However, the issue is most likely to appear during the colder months. Let’s provide an example. If we witness a sudden drop in temperature at the turn of the seasons, the waterline will be more eager to split. Why does this happen? Well, higher temperatures are known to cause the water lines to expand. At the same time, lower temperatures cause them to contract. The lines are sometimes unable to adapt to the sudden changes (expanding and contracting) that the temperature dictates. Subsequently, this causes leaks to form in the line.
WHAT’S THERE TO BE DONE?
As soon as you notice a leak, you should put your plumbing toolkit into action. Make sure you replace the rubber O-rings, find the replacement parts (if there’s a need for that at all) and re-apply the thread tape.
Always check the pipes for leaks. Sudden temperature changes cause water to expand and metal to shrink.
BONUS TIP #1: WHY IS KNOWING THIS INFO SO IMPORTANT?
We’ll try to be quick here. Say, for example, you’ve never experienced a harsh winter (you live in a southern US state) and are planning an interstate relocation to Illinois. So, for instance, if you are coming from sunny Florida with the help of interstate movers, our harsh Chicago winters might surprise you. Knowing info on the most common plumbing issues during winter will surely make a difference. Some folks even say that you don’t know winter if you haven’t experienced the coldest months somewhere in the USA’s Midwest.
ISSUES WITH THE WATER HEATER
This is probably the most common of all the issues we’ll mention today. There’s no way of preventing water heaters from working harder during the coldest months since they’re trying to warm up colder water to reach the temperature set on the gauge. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) advises you to fix your water heater to 120°F. That way, you’ll reduce energy consumption and block the growth of bacteria at the same time. However, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing for your water heater. The issue should alarm you only if the heater’s a bit old. If you notice that it’s unable to provide you with the set water temperature, it might be time to alert the plumbing experts to replace your water heater.
While doing any type of repairs in your home (especially when there’s plumbing involved), it’s best you stash some of your home’s inventory inside a storage unit.
BONUS TIP #2: STORE YOUR STUFF WHILE DEALING WITH PLUMBING ISSUES
There’s a good reason why many folks around the US store their kitchen/bathroom/household inventory inside a storage unit while dealing with plumbing issues around their homes. It’s quite satisfying to know your stuff is somewhere completely safe from potential damage that may occur while doing any type of housework. Before starting the repairs, check online directories for renowned storage unit providers and find the perfect one. When you’re dealing with water, there’s a number of mishaps that can happen, as you can imagine. It’s best to avoid that scenario by all means.
CLOGGED DRAINS SMELL OF WINTER HOLIDAYS
There’s no need to emphasize the fact that the holiday season equals a ton of food passing through your home. That being said, clogging the drains seems inevitable. However, there are some precautions you can take. Try to avoid throwing grease, coffee grains, and/or other food pieces down your sink since they’re known to stick to the pipe sides and build up. Eventually, you end up with a clogged drain. Avoid turning your holiday parties into plumbing disasters.
SNOWY ROOFS
Oh, and we almost forgot to mention this issue. Make sure your roof is cleared of snow during the coldest part of the year. You can go DIY using a roof rake or hire professionals to handle the task for you. If you allow the snow to build up, this can cause leaks or even enable the roof to cave in.
FINAL WORDS
Now that you know the most common winter plumbing problems, we’re sure you won’t have any trouble dealing with them this or the next year or any other time in the future. Lastly, never hesitate to call up professionals to help you handle all of the issues we’ve mentioned above. Home repairs during Chicago winters aren’t all that easy, and you can end up hurting yourself instead of handling the problem.
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