Extreme weather conditions, including heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures, can wreak havoc on your plumbing system. Familiarizing yourself with the winter plumbing issues you’re likely to experience can help you find ways to prevent and even learn how to identify and resolve them when they occur. Discussed below are four common plumbing problems in winter.
- Frozen pipes
Frozen pipes are a common plumbing issue during the cold season. When temperatures fall, the water in your pipes is likely to freeze. Once water freezes, it starts expanding, resulting in pressure that causes pipes to crack. This leads to leaks and pipe bursts. Frozen pipes pose numerous risks, including:
- Property damage: When pipes burst because of freezing, they can release significant amounts of water into your home, causing water damage. There’s also a possibility of mold growth
- Disruption of water supply: When pipes freeze, you may not have water supply for several days. Also, if you’re dealing with burst pipes, the water supply will be shut off completely to allow for repairs
Proper pipe insulation can help prevent frozen pipes during winter. If your pipes freeze and burst during winter, calling in plumbing emergency services can help get the issue fixed in no time.
- Clogged drains
While clogged drains can happen at any time, they’re most common during the winter. If you have slow-running drains during the warm weather and don’t have them fixed before the start of winter, they can solidify once the temperatures drop, causing blockages. For your plumbing to function optimally, the vent pipes should be debris-free.
During warm weather, leaves, branches, twigs, and dead animals can block the vent pipes. When winter comes, ice and snow can accumulate around this debris, blocking the vent pipes from outside. Inspecting and clearing your drains and vent pipes before winter can help prevent this issue.
- Reduced water pressure
Low water pressure is common in the cold season, which can be inconvenient. Causes of reduced water pressure in cold weather include the following:
- Frozen pipes: As temperatures fall, the water in your pipes will likely turn into ice, making it difficult for any unfrozen water to flow through the pipes efficiently
- Sediment buildup: Water pressure gets disrupted when sediment accumulates in pipes or the aerators on your faucets. Additionally, hard water can lead to mineral buildup in faucet aerators and pipes, reducing water pressure
- Rise in demand: If most families are home during winter, more people will be using water during the day, resulting in reduced pressure
Call a plumber to diagnose and resolve the problem if you notice low water pressure.
- Water heater issues
When temperatures drop, water heaters might encounter different issues. This is due to:
- Inadequate hot water supply: During the cold season, the cold water entering your tank is usually much colder than ever. This forces the water heater to overwork to increase temperatures to your desired level, leading to inadequate hot water
- Thermostat problems: Water heater thermostats help maintain water temperatures. In freezing weather, the thermostats might struggle to maintain desired temperature settings, resulting in insufficient heating
- Frozen pipes and water tanks: During winter, the water in your hot water tank plus the pipes that carry it may freeze, reducing the availability of hot water
Insulating your hot water tank and the pipes can help protect your home from winter plumbing emergencies, such as water heater issues.
Endnote
Cold weather comes with many plumbing issues. Familiarizing yourself with common winter plumbing problems can help you prevent them before they occur.
