Watch Out For These Common Winter Plumbing Problems

Here in Connecticut, winters can be long, cold, and uncomfortable. The season can also be harsh on your home. Between cold temperatures, snow, and ice, there are many plumbing-related issues that can cause significant water damage and cost you hard-earned money.
water damage
Here are some common winter plumbing issues to look out for, as well as simple solutions to fix or prevent them.

Burst pipes

Just because a pipe is inside doesn’t mean it’s safe from frigid outside temperatures. Plumbing that is close to exterior walls, especially in unfinished, uninsulated spaces, are prone to freezing in the winter. When the water freezes, it expands, which causes the pipe to burst. This can cause expensive damage to your home.
A simple precaution is to wrap pressurized pipes with insulation. This is a quick and inexpensive DIY project that can save you plenty of money and headaches in the future.

Frozen hose bibb

Every spring, we get countless calls about broken hose bibbs (also known as the outdoor water spigot). Often, this happens because the homeowner forgets to disconnect the hose from the faucet. Water left in the hose freezes, backs up into the hose bibb, and breaks the pipe.
To avoid this issue, be sure to take the hose off the faucet. Also, shut off the water supply valve to the spigot from inside the home. This will make sure there isn’t water sitting in the pipe by the cold exterior wall.

Failed sump pump

If you have a sump pump in your basement, you may think that it hibernating until spring. But the water table on your property may always be seeping into your foundation, so the sump pump needs to be ready to drain it away. You also never know when a warm stretch will quickly melt snow a saturate the surrounding ground.
It’s wise to check that your sump pump is in working order all year round. Also, if the water is pumped onto your lawn, make sure the pipe is not blocked by snow and that the water is discharged at least 10 feet from your foundation.

Gutter and roof issues

Snow and ice accumulating on your roof and gutters can lead to a wide range of water-related problems. If the weather isn’t too bad, check to make sure your gutters are clear before the next snowstorm. We also recommend investing in a roof rake to remove large amounts of snow from the roof. This will help reduce the risk of a roof leak and prevent ice from building up on your gutters.

Plumbing professions in New Haven and Fairfield County

Don’t let the winter wonderland turn into a disaster. If you have any plumbing problems in your home, call the experts at Rick’s Plumbing. Call (203) 874-6629 to schedule a hassle-free appointment today.

203-457-3201