It’s that time of year again: winter. You’ve got all your holiday decorations set up, the tree is up and decorated, and you’re ready to welcome in the season.
But what about your plumbing?
If you’re like most people, you’ve probably been putting off winter plumbing maintenance until now—and it’s time to catch up on the things you haven’t been able to do yet.
According to statistics, the number of plumbing issues in US homes increases in winter by around 20% more than in the other seasons.
Also, according to a survey by HomeServe USA, many homeowners find their plumbing systems require maintenance and repair during the winter months due to freezing temperatures, which can cause burst pipes or frozen water lines. In fact, nearly half of those surveyed reported that their homes had experienced a plumbing problem during the previous year’s cold snap.
The average cost for plumbing repairs was $1,250—an amount that nearly doubled from 2017’s figure of $730. And while most homeowners were able to handle these expenses on their own, some still needed assistance from a professional plumber due to the complexity of the problem or because they did not have enough time or resources available.
The good news is that you can make a few quick checks this week that will keep your plumbing in great shape for the rest of the season.
So, in this article, Backup Plumbing will be discussing the preventative maintenance checklist with you to ensure that your plumbing is in tip-top condition this winter.
Why Preventive Plumbing Maintenance is Importance Before Winter?
Winter is coming, and while you might be excited to bundle up and enjoy the season, it’s important to remember that winter can wreak havoc on your plumbing system.
Preventive maintenance is key to keeping your pipes safe and functional through the cold months. Here are five reasons why preventive maintenance is so important:
Avoiding breakdowns
Winter is a notoriously hard time on plumbing systems. The cold and moisture can cause pipes to freeze, which can cause damage to the pipes and your home. This can lead to costly repairs and, even worse, a complete failure of your plumbing system.
Energy efficiency
Preventative plumbing maintenance also helps you save on energy costs by ensuring your system runs as efficiently as possible. If there’s a problem with your plumbing system, it’s likely that your water heater will run more often than normal in order to keep up with demand. Preventive maintenance ensures that these problems are addressed before they become bigger issues that affect the whole family.
Extending equipment lifespan
When you keep up with preventive maintenance, you’re helping to ensure that your plumbing equipment has the longest possible lifespan. That means less downtime and more efficiency for your business.
Safety considerations
Winter can be a dangerous time of year in many parts of the country, especially if you’re prone to freezing temperatures or ice storms that can damage your home’s plumbing system. Preventive maintenance will help keep your pipes from freezing and prevent damage that could cause leaks and other problems that could lead to flooding or worse!
Compliance with warranties
Many warranties for equipment and systems have specific maintenance requirements to remain valid. Failing to perform preventive maintenance as outlined in the warranty terms could void your coverage. By staying proactive and adhering to maintenance guidelines, you can safeguard your investment and take advantage of warranty benefits if needed.
What to Include in Your Winter Plumbing Maintenance Checklist?
Winter is coming, and the cold weather is here to stay.
If you’re like most Americans, you want your plumbing to be in tip-top shape when winter rolls around. The cold temperatures can wreak havoc on your pipes, so it’s important to keep an eye on them as the weather gets colder. Here’s what you need to check during the winter months:
Insulate Pipes.
You may have heard that wrapping pipes with insulation during the winter will help prevent them from freezing. While this is true, insulating all exposed water lines, especially those in crawl spaces or outside walls, is also important. If you don’t have access to insulation near a pipe or faucet, wrap a towel around it instead.
Disconnect Garden Hoses.
If you leave an outdoor hose connected, there’s a chance that water could freeze inside of it and burst out while you’re using it—leaving a mess behind and causing damage to your home or property! It’s best to disconnect any hoses before the first frost hits so they can dry out properly before being used again next year (or sooner).
Shut Off Outdoor Faucets.
If you have any outdoor faucets running in the winter, they can freeze and crack. This is especially true if you live in an area where sub-freezing temperatures are common during winter. Make sure those outdoor faucets are turned off!
Seal Gaps And Cracks In Your Home’s Foundation.
Another thing you should include in your preventive maintenance checklist is to make sure that any gaps or cracks in your home’s foundation are sealed to prevent freezing water from seeping into your house during these cold months. If there are any cracks around windows or doors, make sure they are caulked up tightly so that no moisture can get through them either!
Maintain Indoor Temperatures.
Keep your indoor temperatures at a comfortable level all winter long. High temperatures can cause water to freeze inside your plumbing system, which can lead to burst pipes and leaks. Low temperatures can cause water lines and pipes to contract, which can also result in leaks!
Keep Cabinets Open.
Winterizing your plumbing system or plumbing maintenance checklist starts with your cabinet doors. Make sure they’re open so that you can see where water has pooled in them, which could cause a leak. Also, check that there aren’t any leaks around the faucet handles or spigots as well.
Clean Gutters And Downspouts.
When the snow melts, it can cause water to get backed up in your gutters and downspouts—leading to frozen pipes or flooding inside your home! Make sure to clean out these areas regularly so they don’t get clogged with snow or ice buildup during winter.
Inspect Exterior Pipes.
If you live in an area with plenty of snowfall each year (like we do), be sure to check on any exterior pipes buried under several inches of snow! You’ll want to go for a plumbing inspection to ensure they aren’t blocked by ice or snow before temperatures start rising again later this springtime season. Otherwise, they could burst from pressure build-up once thawing begins again!
Test Sump Pump.
Your sump pump is essential equipment in your home’s plumbing system. It’s the thing that keeps your basement dry when it rains—but it can also be a source of trouble if it isn’t working properly. Test your sump pump at least once a month during the winter by pouring a bucket of water into its basin. If the water doesn’t discharge within 60 seconds, call a professional plumber to fix it!
Insulate Your Water Heater.
Water heaters are notoriously inefficient when it comes to energy consumption and waste production—but they can be easily improved with a little bit of insulation around their base! Insulating your water heater will ensure that you’re using less electricity and gas and that you don’t have problems with frozen pipes this winter!
Drain And Flush The Water Heater.
Another thing you should do as part of the plumbing preventive maintenance checklist is drain and flush your water heater. This will help stop any corrosion or rust buildup that can occur as a result of sitting unused during the winter months. You can do this by turning off the power to your water heater and draining any remaining water from it by opening a faucet in your home until there is no more pressure building up in the pipes. Next, turn on a faucet near the bottom of the tank and let it run until you see hot water coming out of it—this will help push any remaining sediment out. Finally, turn on all of your faucets for about 15 minutes to make sure that no sediment remains inside them either!
Check For Leaks.
Leaks can happen anywhere around your home, even in places where they aren’t obvious! Look for signs of water stains on walls or floors.
- Check under sinks and toilets.
- Look for drips outside.
- Check light fixtures
- Check faucets;
- Inspect pipes at joints
- Check drains…
You get the idea! If you see any signs of leakage around your home’s plumbing system (or even suspect there might be one), call a plumber in La Grange, Kentucky, as soon as possible so they can fix it.
Monitor Water Pressure.
When the temperature drops, water pressure can drop too. Low water pressure can cause problems like frozen pipes or burst pipes. Keep an eye on your home’s water pressure and ensure it stays high enough to keep all your pipes from freezing.
Clear Snow and Ice.
If you live in an area that gets lots of snow or ice during the winter months, make sure you clear away any snow or ice that builds up near your home’s plumbing system so that you don’t have problems with frozen lines or burst pipes! If you don’t want to do it yourself, consider hiring someone who specializes in clearing snow during the winter months to do it for you—it’ll be worth it when you don’t have to worry about any damage caused by ice buildup!
Install A Backflow Preventer.
A backflow preventer prevents contaminated water from entering your home’s drinking water system, which is especially important when pipes may freeze and burst during cold weather. If you have an older toilet tank, install a new one with built-in backflow prevention so that you don’t have to worry about it later on.
Create An Emergency Plumbing Kit.
Your home’s plumbing system can be a lifesaver in emergencies. Having a few basic tools on hand can help you fix issues as soon as they arise and prevent them from escalating into more serious problems.
Consider Installing A Programmable Thermostat.
A programmable thermostat allows you to control the temperature in your home remotely, which means that you can set it to turn up or down automatically based on your schedule. This helps save money on heating and cooling bills and can also help prevent pipes from freezing during cold weather.
Monitor Your Water Bill.
If you notice a spike in your water usage this winter, it could be due to frozen pipes or other problems with your plumbing system. Check for leaks and make sure nothing has frozen over to avoid having higher-than-normal bills this season!
Insulate Basement Windows.
Insulating basement windows can help keep heat inside your home by preventing the cold air from getting in. It also prevents the warm air from escaping through the window. The insulation will also prevent condensation buildup on the window, which can cause water damage over time.
Consider A Freeze Alarm.
Another thing you should add to your commercial plumbing preventative maintenance checklist is freeze alarm installation. A freeze alarm will alert you when it senses a problem with your pipes before they burst or freeze, allowing you to take action before any damage occurs. A good freeze alarm should have a sensor that goes into the water line and one on top of or near your main supply line so that it can detect freezing temperatures before any damage is done!
Avoid Using Chemical Drain Cleaners.
Chemical drain cleaners can actually make your pipes more vulnerable to freezing and bursting during the winter months because they can damage the lining of the pipe and cause leaks. If you have a slow-running drain or clog, try mixing a cup of baking soda with two cups of white vinegar in a glass bowl and letting it sit overnight before pouring it down the drain (you’ll want to run hot water after doing this).
Keep Your Furnace Clean.
Don’t let the dust build up around your furnace. If you don’t keep it clean, it can affect how well it works and how efficiently it heats your home.
Educate Your Family.
Your family needs to know that they need to turn off the water when they leave the house or go to bed in the winter. This includes turning off the tap that is feeding the water heater, too! You can even print out our education sheet and hang it on the fridge as a reminder.
Insulate Outdoor Spigots.
If your outdoor spigots are exposed, you can use foam pipe insulation or electrical tape to stop them from freezing and bursting when temperatures drop below freezing overnight (usually around 15 degrees F). This can also help keep water from freezing inside of pipes if there’s a problem with a valve inside the home—it might mean less damage when thawing begins after the weather warms up again!
Install A Leak Detection System.
If you don’t already have one, install a leak detection system so that you’ll know if any of your pipes are giving out or leaking. This will help avoid costly repairs that could have been prevented.
Schedule A Professional Inspection.
During the winter months, it’s important to schedule regular inspections with your local plumber so that they can identify any problems before they become too severe—and before they cause further damage to other parts of your home or building! If you notice any discoloration or deterioration in your pipes during this time, call Backup Plumbing right away so we can come out and take a look at them.
Enjoy Winter By Signing Up for Plumbing Service Agreements and Maintenance in La Grange, KY!
Winter is a tough season. It can be especially challenging for those who are not prepared for the cold and for those who need to keep their pipes from freezing.
If you’re looking for a plumbing company to help you with winter plumbing service agreements and maintenance in La Grange, KY, look no further than Backup Plumbing! We offer the most reliable and affordable services around, and we’d love to be your go-to plumber.
Backup Plumbing has been providing plumbing services and maintenance agreements in La Grange, KY, for many years now. We take pride in our work and want to make sure that every customer receives the top-notch quality service possible at an affordable price.
Our plumbing maintenance agreements can help you avoid costly repairs and unexpected issues by providing regular maintenance to keep your system running smoothly. Our technicians will come by at least once a year to clean out and inspect your piping, drains, and other appliances so that they stay in good working order.
When you sign up for plumbing service agreements and maintenance with Backup Plumbing Inc., here’s what you can expect:
– Convenient, same-day service for all your plumbing needs in La Grange, KY
– A 24/7 emergency line for any problems that come up (or are in progress) outside of normal business hours
– Friendly, knowledgeable technicians who will give you a free estimate before beginning work and who will explain the problem clearly so that you know exactly what’s going on and why it needs to be fixed
– Affordable rates for the best service around!
So when you sign up for our annual plumbing service agreements, you will get a range of Plumbing Services and Solutions in La Grange, including:
– Tankless Water heater installation/repair
– Drain cleaning/tree root removal/snaking
– Shower/faucet installation and repair
– Repiping solution
– Bathroom remodels
– Leaky faucet repair/replacement
– Sewer line repair and replacement
– Water filtration system installation
– Garbage disposal installation
– Water softener installation and repair
– And many more…
The best thing? We’re available 24/7 to ensure that we always have a solution for you—whether it’s an emergency or not.
Let us handle the stress of your plumbing problems in winter so that you can focus on the things that are important to you!
We want to be your go-to plumbing company in La Grange, KY! Sign up now for our maintenance agreement, or call (502) 829-6561 if you have any questions about how it works.