The holidays have come to an end, but we still have the bulk of winter still ahead of us. As the temps continue to dip and severe weather rolls in, keeping your home safe and comfortable for your family should be top on your priority list. Plumbing issues can cause some of the most destructive damage in your home—especially during the rough winter months. Here are the most common plumbing issues that occur during the winter and how to prevent (or fix) them.
Water Heater Issues
Everyone craves a warm shower on cold winter mornings. The increase of hot water use in the chilly months often leads to water heater failure in appliances that were reaching the end of their lifespan. The typical water heater will last 10-12 years, and you can maximize that length of time by having routine yearly maintenance performed. If you haven’t had your water heater serviced in over a year, do so now to prevent a surprise failure and to fix any small issues that may be present. Though a decrease in hot water or an increased amount of time needed to heat water may be due to something simple like a thermostat issue, a leaking water heater almost always means it’s time for a new one.
Frozen Pipes
Winter in Nebraska is often associated with frozen pipes. If your pipes are not protected and the temp drops below freezing, you can have large problems—especially if there is residual water in them. Make sure you shut off outside water and disconnect outdoor hoses before the cold weather hits. If you want to be extra safe, call in a professional to insulate your pipes. If your pipes do freeze this winter, shut off water immediately and call in a pro like those at ASAP.
Clogged Drains
Even if you had fewer guests that usual this year due to the pandemic, most households see an increase in cooking (and disposing of) food during the holiday season. If you or your guests put more down the disposal than usual or if leftovers with heavy carbs or bones get put down the disposal, you could have some clogging issues. Remember (and remind guests) what does and does not go in the disposal and run plenty of water whenever you dispose of food.
Gutter Garbage
If you didn’t clean out your gutters before the weather turned cold, you may be in store for some roofing issues. An accumulation of junk in the gutter can lead to clogs, leaks, and ice dams—all of which can mean disaster for your roof and for your home as a whole. Get those gutters cleaned now before the next big snowstorm hits to prevent costly damage.
As always, working with a professional like those at ASAP throughout the year to provide maintenance will help you uncover small issues before they become large problems. If you experience one of the above winter plumbing problems this year, give our team a call. We can help!
