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Feeling Chilly? 5 Ways to Protect Your Pipes This Winter
October 17, 2018
Winter is coming. Are your pipes ready? Winter can wreak havoc on unprotected pipes, and you don't want to get caught with winter plumbing problems this year. Use the five tips provided below to learn how to prepare.
1. GIVE YOUR STOP VALVE A WEEKLY WORKOUT
Do you know where your stop valve is located, or what it does? Your stop valve is probably located in the kitchen cabinet directly under your sink. Stop valves prevent the flow of water when you face a plumbing emergency. However, if a stop valve is corroded or frozen, you won't be able to turn the water off.
Your stop valve should never be ignored, especially if you want to rely on it in an emergency. Give your stop valve a weekly workout and prevent the sealing effects of corrosion and ice this winter. Start a weekly habit of turning your stop valve off and on at least once a week.
2. FLUSH YOUR DRAINS AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH
If you don't flush your drains at least once a month, you may have some hidden surprises lurking between you and the main sewer line. Grease, food particles, hair and other debris builds up in your pipes. You may think that washing your dishes cleans out your drains, but that's not the case.
When you turn the faucet off after washing your dishes or your hands, traces of soap and scum remain in the drain. Flush your drains with hot water at least once a month to prevent blockage-causing buildup.
3. MAKE GOOD USE OF YOUR EMPTY CONTAINERS
Do you put used fats and grease straight down the drain? If you do, you're eventually going to have some problems with your pipes. Fats and grease have no place going down your drains. All these fats and oils do is build up and coat your drains with gunk that causes clogs and blockages; and they can cause foul odors to waft through the drains into your home.
Avoid the gunk and the odors, and at the same time make good use of your empty containers. Whenever you have left-over grease, fats or oil, place it in an empty container and toss the whole thing in the trash.
4. CLEAN YOUR PIPES BEFORE WINTER ARRIVES
If you haven't cleaned your pipes out in more than a year, take care of that task before winter arrives, especially if you have a septic tank or mature trees in your yard. Dirty pipes slow the flow of waste to your septic tank and can cause sewage backups into your home.
If you have mature trees, the roots may be growing inside your pipes. When you clean your pipes before winter, you remove the sludge and the roots that can cause problems. If you wait until spring to clean your pipes, you give your trees enough time to begin another growth spurt. Eliminate that concern by cleaning your pipes out while your trees are in their dormant phase.
5. TAKE PRECAUTIONS IF YOU'RE LEAVING FOR THE WINTER
Your winter plans may involve an extended vacation, and if that's the case take precautions to protect your pipes or you may come home to a watery mess. Insulate your pipes against freezing temperatures - even if you don't normally experience many frosty nights.
An unexpected freeze will ruin your pipes. Turn the main water off to your house and then turn off each stop valve in your house. Finally, schedule an inspection with your plumber to locate any issues that need to be addressed before you leave.
Now that winter is almost here, contact us at Roto-Rooter Plumbers to schedule a service call. We'll get your pipes ready for the cold weather that's on its way.
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