Winter Plumbing Problems
It’s cold outside! Boulder winters can be both beautiful…and frightful. We are currently experiencing some of the frightful. The freezing cold temperatures and the layers of snow can cause major problems to our plumbing like frozen or cracked pipes (and associated water damage), cold showers, broken radiators, and more. Today we will address some of the common winter plumbing problems and how to prevent them, along with a few valuable cold weather plumbing tips.
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Cracked Pipes, Leaking Pipes
First, prevention is always the best option. Freezing water leads to cracked and leaking pipes, which if not discovered promptly, can lead to disastrous flooding and costly repair bills at the minimum. Boulder has plenty of freezing cold days and nights throughout the winter so homeowners should be very prepared. Blow out your sprinklers, disconnect your outdoor hoses. Use foam padding to insulate your pipes and regularly check your basement pipes for ice or frost accumulation or cracks forming. Running water won’t freeze so make sure all pipes are utilized throughout the winter months. If you’re traveling, never turn your heat down so low you run the risk of interior pipes freezing. If you do find yourself with a cracked or leaking pipe, try to turn off the water source and call a plumber asap. Marmot Heating, Cooling & Plumbing offers emergency plumbing repair!
Kitchen Sink Clogs and Disposal Repair Issues
Our kitchens take a beating around the holidays with out of town guests and holiday feasts. Drains are clogged quite easily with all the food and grease going down, not to mention the extra strain put on the disposal. Kitchen sink clogs and disposal repairs are common plumbing issues that increase during the holidays/winter months. Remember, grease and oil thicken and become difficult to remove when your pipes are cold. Do your best not to put not to put these down the drain. Run water before and after disposal use to keep it clean and clear and try to turn the disposal on before putting substances in. Marmot handles clogged drains and disposal issues daily—we are the drain cleaning experts.
Water Heater Repairs and Replacements
Prevention first—drain sediment from the tank before the season as part of regular maintenance. Water heaters are working overtime to keep water hot during colder months. Try to spread your showers out (even 10 minutes between can help). This will also help it maintain proper water pressure. You might also decide to turn the temperature up slightly. Just make sure not to turn it up too high, hot water heaters can produce water that burns! But if your water heater fails, call Marmot here in Boulder and we can repair your water heater or install a new one if necessary.
Sump Pump Discharge Line
Sump pump discharge lines lead outside, leaving it susceptible to freezing weather. The discharge line can freeze all the way up and into the house. Make sure your pipe isn’t too long and that it’s off the ground. Also, check that the valve is working or the water will not leave the pit. If your discharge pipe freezes you can end up burning out the motor. If you have any questions or concerns about your sump pump and it’s proper function during the cold winter months, or anytime really, we are happy to help!
No matter what winter plumbing issue you may experience, know that you can count on Marmot Heating, Cooling & Plumbing to repair or replace as needed. We have the best plumbers in Boulder and we don’t upsell or add on unnecessary services. Honest plumbing services to keep your home and life running smoothly.
