A plumbing emergency can occur any time of the year, but it is more often when it is cold outside. The chilly weather and an increase in hot water consumption from visitors might put a strain on your plumbing system.
You should always have the contact information for a reliable 24/7 Chicago plumbing service. If you need help with your plumbing, these experts are the ones to call.
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Pipes Exploding
Pipes that have water in them that freezes can burst if the temperature outside drops low enough. This causes the line to expand and eventually rupture. Damage from improper usage or plumbing design, improper pressure ratings, or improper flow routing also contributes to the problem.
Make sure that any pipes exposed in your home have adequate insulation to prevent them from freezing and exploding. Insulation foam can be used as a prophylactic measure if a line is discovered to require further insulation.
You should also find the main water valve. In the event of a water-related emergency, closing this valve will limit the extent of the damage.
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No Warm Showers
A lack of hot water for a lengthy period can be avoided by installing an emergency water heater. A backup tank is filled with water and heated to make these operate. Switching from a tankless water heater to one with a storage tank might be a good idea.
Scaling can cause significant losses in hot water production in tankless water heaters. Using an inline heater, an external water heater that functions in place of a conventional tank is another alternative for tankless water heaters. If you’re experiencing a shortage of hot water, this may be a viable option.
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Frozen Pipes
Pipes freeze in the middle or at the top when the temperature drops below freezing—the repeated cycles of freezing and thawing strain joints or perhaps cause them to crack. The most common freezing locations for water are outside taps and pipes that run along exterior walls.
Even if the outside temperature is above freezing, a home’s internal plumbing may freeze, such as the ones in the kitchen and bathrooms. Allowing exterior faucets to trickle will prevent water from freezing in this situation.
The pipes should stay unfrozen for longer this way. If your pipes have frozen, you may unfreeze them by running hot water through them. Towels can be used to maintain a comfortable temperature in the lines.
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Blocked Drains
You should expect a blocked drain. The first step is to always have a plunger on hand. Before reaching for harsh chemicals, consider using a plunger to remove the obstruction from the sink drain. Use a drain snake if the clog is too severe to be removed by other means.
Instead of paying a plumber, you may complete this simple task and save yourself both time and money. If you need to unclog a sink but don’t have a drain snake on hand, you can fashion one out of a straightened coat hanger and a stick.
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Winterize Outdoor Faucets
It is common for outdoor sinks and faucets to be the source of a plumbing disaster during the winter. When winter comes, and you put away your hoses, sprinklers, and slip ‘n’ slides, any water remaining in your outside faucet might freeze and crack your pipe and faucet.
Shutoff valves for the winter are typically included in the design of outdoor taps. Please turn off the water supply and drain any residual water from the faucet before storing it for the winter.
Don’t forget to remove the hose beforehand. Your outdoor sink should have a shutoff valve, but if it doesn’t, you may need to have a plumber add one.
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Wasted, Vacant Pipes
Like outside faucets, pipes that aren’t in use should be drained and emptied before being stored for the winter. When leaving a property uninhabited for an extended period, it is crucial to unclog the pipes to prevent a plumbing problem and subsequent water damage.
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Water Heater Maintenance
Annual inspections of water heaters are recommended, ideally performed just before the onset of winter, because the temperature of unheated water drops significantly throughout the winter months. Unheated showers are the last thing anyone wants.
Even though a damaged water heater probably won’t do any lasting harm to your property, it may still be a plumbing problem in the winter. Inspecting your water heater is essential, but upgrading it by purchasing quality parts from the best plumbing and heating supply store is also intelligent.
How To Avoid A Plumbing Disaster This Winter
Homeowners may accomplish some of these jobs, but others should be left to experts, like installing valves or examining a water heater. To get your plumbing system ready for the winter, you need to hire a professional plumber to come in and do a full inspection of your property.
If you need help winterizing your house or dealing with a plumbing problem over the winter, Daigle Plumbing has professional plumbers available.
Daigle Plumbing is a plumbing, heating, and air conditioning company that serves Derry, New Hampshire, and the surrounding area, which includes some of the coldest portions of the United States. Call us right away to set up a meeting.
