How to avoid costly plumbing emergencies during the winter

As the year come to a close, many people are now preparing for winter and the cold weather that it brings. This can be particularly dangerous when dealing with pipes and plumbing. Extreme cold or rapid temperature fluctuations can cause serious damage to pipes. Water can expand and contract, which can cause pipes to burst in many cases. Although this is an unfortunate thing that can occur from time to time, there are precautions that can be taken in order to reduce the chances.

Here are some things that you can do to prevent costly plumbing emergencies in your home or business this upcoming winter:

Frozen pipes: As mentioned earlier, this is the most common problem that people have with their plumbing in the wintertime. It is important to keep your pipes from freezing. Make sure that you occasionally run the water during below freezing temperatures. If you have any exposed pipes outdoors, be sure to insulate them with heat tape, a high-grade insulation material, or molded sleeves.. Make sure any outdoor faucets or toilets are shut off before the freezing weather arrives.

Broken water heaters: There are several things that can cause your water heater to not function properly. They are also overworked in a cold winter, which may cause it to stop working entirely. It is recommended to have your heater or boiler serviced annually before winter hits. This way, you do not need to wait around in the freezing cold waiting for a repairman to arrive if it breaks down in the middle of winter.

Because of the high demand for heating repairs in winter, it may take a little while before the technicians can attend to you. Many heating repairmen also offer discounts during the off-season. You can save a lot of time, money, and hassle if you get your heat checked-up now.

Kitchen pipes: Many pipes are located near the outside walls. Severe temperatures can cause these to break. By opening your cabinets, you allow the area to be slightly more heated, thus reducing the chances of freezing pipes.

Backed-up septic tanks: Septic tanks often go overlooked by homeowners until it is too late. If there is a backup or emergency during the winter, it will be much more expensive to get it emptied or have pipes replaced when they are frozen. Remember to have them serviced regularly.

Hire professionals: You may be tempted to handle any repairs on your own. While this may seem to be cheaper, you can cause further damage. If you do not know what you are doing, this can make things even more costly if you do not do things properly. Hiring a professional heating repairman ensure that the job will be done right the first time. While the repairman is around, you can also ask him for some advice on keeping your pipes clean and working throughout the cold months.

Hopefully these tips will help you to have a warm and emergency-free winter. By checking your plumbing regularly and keeping your home well-heated and maintained, you will reduce your chances of bursting pipes.