Winter Plumbing: Tips to Keep It Running Smoothly

Make sure your home is in great shape and running as efficiently as possible before the colder months arrive. When preparations are made ahead, problems are less likely to happen, and when they do occur, they are easier to deal with. Here are some tips to ensure your plumbing system stays in good shape over the winter.

You should find the main valve that turns off the water

The hard water makes it so that these valves only work sometimes. If your home’s main valve to turn off the water is hard to turn or breaks, you should call a licensed Brea Plumber.

Check your water heater

Make sure your water heater is in good shape before it gets chillier. You can do it several times a year to get rid of the sediment that can build up in a water heater. You should also check leaks from valves regularly. It is best to call a professional to flush the heater and check for leaks so that the job is done right. They can also make any repairs or maintenance that are needed.

Be careful in the kitchen

It would be best never to throw trash down the sink drain and never flush grease or oil down the toilet. It would help if you never put rice down the toilet or through a garbage disposal. The rice grains will get bigger and eventually get stuck in the pipes. Always run 10 to 15 seconds of cold water through the garbage disposal before and after you use it. Lastly, keep the trash can from getting too full before you turn on the garbage disposal. Start by turning on the garbage disposal before slowly putting the food down the drain.

If you’re having many people over for the holidays, giving them different shower times is a good idea. Wash your hands at most every 15 minutes. That gives a typical water heater enough time to refill and prepare for the following user. Depending on the size of your home and your water heater, it may or may not be a good idea to run the dishwasher or wash clothes when multiple people in your home are taking showers simultaneously.

Oversee the water pressure

The water pressure in a home is a delicate balance that needs to be watched over all the time. For relaxing showers and getting things done in the kitchen, it’s essential to have enough water pressure. But too much pressure can put too much stress on the pipes and other parts. You can buy a pressure gauge at most home improvement stores to determine how strong your water supply is. When the pressure is close to or at 80 psi, you need to put a pressure-reducing valve in that place. Most plumbing codes say that a pressure-reducing valve must be placed when the pressure exceeds 80 psi.

Wrap your pipes in insulation

Some nights, especially when it’s icy outside, your home’s pipes could freeze. It could cause the line to break. Because water expands when it freezes, frozen water is much more dangerous than unfrozen water. Pipes that are outside should be covered with pipe insulation. You can get this at any store that sells things for the house. Another good idea is to insulate the pipes in your attic. Covers that keep heat in are easy to put up and don’t cost much.

The seal around the pipes broke

Many holes and cracks in the walls and floors near pipes let cold air in. Small cracks and gaps around pipes can let in draughts and bugs you don’t want. Use foam that expands to fill in any holes or cracks. Depending on the lines and gaps you find, you may also want to use canned spray foam or calking. After sealing and insulating, check to see if the furnace has a pipe for combustion air just for making up air.

Keep the contact details of the plumber handy

It’s impossible to know when a crisis will happen. During the holidays, it’s essential to have a fast way to get in touch with a professional if something goes wrong. You should write down your Brea Plumber’s phone number and keep it on your phone. If you still need to get a reliable plumber on call, now is the time to start looking. Before you hire a plumber, you should find out if they can help you in an emergency or if they are willing to put in extra time for a complex plumbing repair.

Open the closet and the drawers in the kitchen

A simple but effective way to keep pipes from bursting is to leave the cabinet doors under the kitchen, and bathroom sinks open. If you do this, the warm air in your home can move under the cabinets and warm the pipes.

Open your cabinets more often if they are on an outside wall. Pipes in these places are more likely to freeze in the winter because they are close to the outside.

Put insulation in cold places

Plumbing in an unheated basement, attic, garage, or crawl space will not be as toasty as in a well-heated bedroom or living room. If you insulate the parts of your home that aren’t heated, pipes are less likely to freeze and break. Better insulation also helps keep heat inside during the winter, which can save money.

If you think like a handyman, putting insulation on your own is pretty straightforward. You can always pay plumbers in Brea to help you if you can’t do that. Either way, keeping your pipes in good shape and your home’s temperature comfortable is cheap and effective.

Drain the water from the water heater

Hard water causes sediment to build up in the water heater over time. As the residue breaks down, it turns into rust, which can then be used in food or drinks. Drain the water heater to eliminate sediment as part of your fall cleaning. If you turn on the tap and see rusty water, replace your water heater before it gets too cold. During the colder months, it’s essential to always have access to hot water.

Conclusion

Getting your house and plumbing ready for the winter isn’t hard, but it does take some work. Work with a professional plumber in Brea, and we can ensure everything is done right. We’ve been in business for years, and our many happy clients have given us a good name. Please find out more about our plumbing winterizing services immediately by contacting All Star Plumbing & Restoration.