Borys CarpenterWinter is the time reserved for holidays, so you should get everything done in time so you could relax with your friends and family when the time comes. Unfortunately, accidents do happen, mostly when we least expect them, so it is crucial to do everything in your power to minimize potential risks. Precisely for that reason, it is of utter importance to take care of any potential plumbing issues you might be struggling with before things get complicated, thus, read our list of money saving plumbing tips and pieces of advice for winter.
Seek and Treat
To do anything about the current condition of your plumbing, the first thing you should do is to organize a detailed check-up! In a nutshell, you cannot fix anything if you are not aware that a problem exists.
Additionally, it is of utter importance to treat even the slightest issue you notice, since the issue is not going to be fixed by itself. Any small leakage tends to become a bigger issue, thus, you should make a move and treat the problem as soon as you notice it.
Hidden Spots
The damage caused by bad plumbing can affect much more than plumbing-related items. Just think about how difficult would be to get rid of the surplus water infesting everything it gets in touch with. If you leave the pipes unattended and wait for the winter, the issue could deteriorate even more, since cold weather aggravates working conditions, and will probably cost more than you are willing to pay.
Therefore, make sure you cover not only the visible portions of your plumbing system but also the spots that are invisible to the naked eye. Thus, roll up your sleeves and get behind the sink or any other hard-to-reach corner connected to the plumbing system that could endanger your household’s safety. The rest of the process is simple, namely, the sooner you do something about potential leakage, the less money you will spend on more complicated procedures.
Schedule in Advance
You should be aware that emergency interventions always cost significantly more than a timely scheduled appointment with your plumber. We even advise you to schedule a preventive checkup even if you are positive that nothing with your plumbing system is wrong. Noticing visible leakages is what you would want to avoid since it only means that certain things have gone beyond your control and that you will have to reach out deep in your pocket to make things right again.
On the other hand, if you do everything on time, we assure you that potential expenses will not overburden your budget, especially if you do it on your own. Surely, hiring a skilled professional plumber would cost you more than a DIY project, but at least you will be covered for the upcoming season. Read more about what to pay special attention to when plumbing issues are in question and make sure you start in time in order to spend as little on potential repairs as possible.
Insulation
Another thing you should take care of before the temperatures lower below zero is to insulate your pipes. Surely, any pipes that are positioned inside your home should be good for the winter, unlike the ones on the inside. Therefore, either insulate the pipes on your own or reach out for professional assistance. Whatever approach you choose should be less expensive than potential repairs caused by the frozen pipes.
There are numerous ways to protect the pipes from freezing since the point is to add a layer between the pipe and external influences that could cause damage. Surely, professional means will cost you more than alternative solutions, but on the other hand, they should deliver increased protection from the cold. For example, you can either use old cloths and bind them around the exposed pipe, or you could make use of spray foam to insulate the pipe adequately.
Inspect Your Water Heater
Water heaters are considered to be essential nowadays, but unfortunately, they cannot last forever. Reasonably, warming up large quantities of water proves to be a more complicated process when the external temperature is low, so you should expect them to spend a bit more time than the case would be if the weather is warmer.
In a nutshell, you should be aware that your water heater should not be older than a decade, and even then, should you check its condition before entering the cold season. Thus, upon inspecting the area for potential leakages and fixing them, make sure you put your water heater on the test. If it takes too long to heat the water, we advise you to invest in a new one. Even though it might seem like an unnecessary investment, it should prove to be profitable in the long run, especially if you take into account the amount of energy you would vast by ignoring the potential problem.
Unclog the Drains
Even though your drains should be permeable at all times, we should warn you to check on their condition before the winter sets in. Namely, cold temperatures could aggravate working conditions if the congestion happens when the temperatures reach zero or go below, so acting in time could save you both from unexpected repairs and unpleasant situations.
Even though you would need appropriate equipment for the treatment, you should not spend too much money on the tools necessary for the process. The only thing that you might have trouble with is the content of the drains since nothing pretty causes this unpopular problem. The other option is to call the plumbing service. Now, they might take care of the dirty work for you, but rest assured they will not do it for free.
Hopefully, the aforementioned suggestions and pieces of information will aim you in the right direction and help you get your plumbing ready for the winter. Make sure you cover everything we talked about in the lines above and start in time since failing to act in time might cause additional issues when you least expect them.
Jaime Hay
