Wintertime in Ohio can be a challenge, particularly on your plumbing system. But when you take a few preventative steps coupled with understanding how some common winter plumbing issues can occur, you may be able to avoid potential plumbing disasters altogether. So, join us and keep reading as your Centerville Plumbing & Drain experts go over each of these seasonal plumbing issues.
1. ARE YOU EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH A CLOGGED KITCHEN DRAIN?
Many homeowners host parties or gatherings during the winter season, which means more cooking than usual and extra strain on the garbage disposal. So, if you’re not careful about what you put in the garbage disposal, it might get clogged. Avoid this problem by not putting certain foods, such as cooking oil, fats, grease, eggshells, coffee grounds, meat bones, vegetable peels, corn husks, or potato/onion skins, down the drain. Your garbage disposal is not the only way to get rid of food scraps. There are other options that won’t cause harm or damage to your plumbing system. So, be extra careful and mindful of this amidst all the holiday cooking when you’re likely producing more food waste than usual.
Dense food down the sink is also a no-no. This includes foods like pasta, potatoes, and rice. They can swell and cause clogs in your pipes when added to water. So, instead, scrape these kinds of food into the trashcan. A garbage can positioned by your kitchen sink will help remind guests where to put their scraps. Additionally, get into the practice of letting the water run for at least 15 seconds after turning on your garbage disposal. This ensures all food particles are cleared away, and odors aren’t present.
2. ARE YOU EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH YOUR WATER HEATER?
Handling a broken-down water heater is not a fun ordeal, specifically when it happens squat in the middle of winter. To prevent this problem altogether, it’s suggested that you have your water heater drained once annually. It’s a simple preventative measure, but it can assist in keeping your water heater running at its highest capacity. Moreover, if your water heater isn’t set to a high enough temperature, it will not be able to heat enough water for your whole household. And if you find that you quickly run out of hot water in the shower, check to see what temperature your water heater is currently set at. Try increasing it by a few degrees to see if that helps meet your needs. Bear in mind that you should never set it above 125 degrees. This is because it can be unsafe but also cause large amounts of energy to be consumed!
Secondly, if your water heater isn’t functioning well, try checking it to make sure it still has access to its power source. The connection can be lost after a power outage. And last of all, another good trick is to use a water heater blanket. This will help the machine run better and decrease the amount of lost heat. Water heater blankets can be purchased from any home improvement store.
3. ARE YOU EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH YOUR SUMP PUMP?
A sump pump’s main purpose is to drain water from difficult-to-drain areas. But, during a large snowstorm or torrential downpour, these hard-to-drain areas can easily fill up quickly and cause problems like overflowing or even end in a frozen sump pump if the temperature were to drop low enough. Luckily, there are ways you can keep your sump pump running smoothly!
First off, it would be a good idea to test how your sump pump reacts. You can achieve this by pouring water into the sump pump’s pit until the float is activated and the pump turns on. This will confirm whether or not your sump pump is functioning properly. Additionally, your sump pump should be cleaned at least once a year. This requires clearing any obstructions and removing debris that could clog the pump. Also, while you’re at it, take a look around the pit for anything else that might cause problems down the line.
4. ARE YOU EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH FROZEN INDOOR PIPES?
Pipes that freeze are prone to bursting. This is an unwelcome situation that we suggest avoiding at all costs. If not, you may end up with water damage to your home and find yourself elbows deep in repair work.
- You Should Allow the Faucets to Drip: To keep the water within your pipes from freezing on cold nights, open your faucets ever so slightly so that droplets of water are able to pass through, keeping the water flowing and not stagnant and able to freeze.
- You Should Open the Cabinet Doors: On particularly cold nights, you may open the cabinet doors under your sinks. This includes all your sinks, whether they be in the kitchen, bathroom, etc. When you do this, it will allow the central air to access the sink pipes more easily, thus keeping them a bit warmer.
- You Should Use Pressure Relief Valves: You can keep pressure buildup from becoming an issue by installing pressure relief valves in your home.
- You Should Insulate the Pipes: By wrapping your pipes using pipe insulation, you can protect any exposed pipes in your home without spending a ton of money. Pipe insulation is reasonably affordable and can be obtained at any local home improvement store.
5. ARE YOU EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH FROZEN OUTDOOR PIPES?
Outdoor pipe maintenance can often get overlooked, and it’s usually not even realized before it’s too late and the damage is already done. So, keep in mind that before temperatures drop, make sure your garden hoses are disconnected and stored before any damage from flooding or undetected water leakage can take place. In addition, you should also be sure to make sure all outdoor faucets are turned off. You can also use foam bib covers to protect any fixtures from freezing or use pipe insulation if necessary. By taking these simple steps, you can avoid costly repairs down the road.
6. ARE YOU EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH A DAMAGED OUTDOOR DRAIN?
If your outdoor drains are plastic, upgrading your outdoor drains from plastic to metal is highly recommended. Plastic is prone to breaking under the stress of accumulated weight (I.e., ice) when combined with freezing temperatures. So, metal drains are a great solution. Another great tip is to get into the habit of clearing the area around all your outdoor drains. Things like leaves, grass clippings, small twigs, and other debris should be swept away, so they don’t clog the drain. Furthermore, if you find heavy ice accumulating on a metal outdoor drain, pouring hot water over the ice will melt it faster.
7. ARE YOU EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH A FROZEN SEPTIC TANK?
If you have a septic tank and it is not covered under enough soil, it may result in a frozen septic tank. When this happens, waste inside the frozen septic tank may also freeze up. This will then cause the waste to expand, leading to further plumbing issues like sewage backup into your home. Gross! To prevent this:
- You should inspect the soil around your septic tank for erosion. If you find any areas that need to be filled in, do so as soon as possible. Just be careful not to compress the surface of the existing soil.
- Another great way to protect your septic tank is by covering the top of the soil with straw. This works as an extra layer of insulation against bad weather.
Not everyone can say that their favorite season is winter. It’s not for everyone. But at the same time, the winter season doesn’t have to be a dreadful experience. Centerville Plumbing & Drain, we want to help make it as warm and comfortable as possible. We’ll take care of your home’s plumbing system and ensure that everything is running smoothly for you and your family! Call us at (937) 240-0169, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!
