While winter in Boylston, MA, can be beautiful, it can also be difficult to maintain all the aspects of your home that keep you safe and comfortable. It’s common for homes, especially those that are older, to experience plumbing issues because of the freezing temperatures outside. However, there are some things you can do as a homeowner to avoid some common winter plumbing problems.
Preventing Frozen Pipes
Frozen pipes can decrease your water pressure or even stop the flow of water entirely. There is also the risk of a frozen pipe bursting, which can cause extensive water damage to your home. When moisture is present, there is a potential risk of mold growth. Mold can be devastating to your health, causing symptoms such as allergies, asthma attacks, respiratory issues, fatigue, headaches, and more.
You can prevent frozen pipes in a few different ways.
Increasing Insulation Around Pipes
There are several types of insulation that can be installed around your pipes to protect them from freezing temperatures. This is also a great way to boost the efficiency of your plumbing system. You may notice you have hotter water coming from your fixtures and faucets, providing exceptional comfort and convenience.
There are foam tubes that can be fitted around your pipes for added insulation. Insulating batting is affordable and can be bunched into open areas around your pipes. Spray foam insulation is a bit more expensive of an insulation option, but it provides great results. There are often incentives and rebates available that can offset the cost of increasing insulation.
Maintaining Interior Temperature
If you are going to be away from home for an extended period, make sure that you don’t set your thermostat below 55 degrees Fahrenheit. This should provide enough warmth around pipes so that they do not freeze. Keep vanities and cupboards open if there is plumbing inside to allow warm air to circulate around your pipes.
Leave Water Trickling
It’s not the most efficient way to prevent your pipes from freezing, but it usually works. Leave your faucets on the slowest trickle to prevent standing water from freezing. This is beneficial when you are going to be away from home for an extended period, such as on vacation or at work for the day. If you are home, you may choose to have a space heater running and pointed in the direction of any pipes that you are concerned about. Just make sure you don’t leave this equipment unsupervised.
Avoiding Clogged Drains
Homeowners tend to use their sinks and drains more frequently during the winter months because of all the holiday cooking and gathering that occurs. A clogged drain occurs when grease, debris, or food scraps build up inside your pipes. This can prevent water and other liquids from passing through. A clog can cause a backup inside of your sink, but it can also lead to a pipe bursting or leaking. Routine maintenance for your drains can prevent this issue. You should also ensure you’re not putting anything down your drains that could lead to a clog. Dispose of grease or food in your garbage can. Always run cold water through your drain while you are cleaning dishes.
We recommend that you avoid using chemical drain cleaners in your home as a way of preventing or treating clogged drains. While these products can be effective, they tend to be very damaging to your plumbing system because of their caustic nature. They can also be dangerous to your health.
Preventing Outdoor Drain Issues
You may have drains outside of your home, in your garage, or on your property. These drains must allow ample water to move through them to prevent pooling. It’s common in the winter for drains to become covered with leaves or debris. It’s also common for ice to accumulate on the surface of the drain. Keep an eye on all these locations to ensure they are clear and allow water to flow. You should have these drains cleared preventatively just like you would the drains in your home.
Sump Pump Issues
Most homes in the area will see an increase in sump pump activity during the winter months. This is because of all the moisture that is present when it snows, hails, rains, etc. Your sump pump must be working efficiently and effectively to prevent water from accumulating in your basement. We recommend having your sump pump inspected prior to the start of the winter season. If you notice any issues with this unit, reach out to for professional sump pump service right away.
You can avoid sump pump issues by investing in a battery-powered backup unit. If the power goes out in your home or your initial pump fails, your backup unit will turn on. Most systems sound an alarm to let you know your primary pump isn’t working so you can address that problem.
Heat tape can be used around any exposed portions of your sump pump to prevent freezing from occurring. The various pipes and components of your pump are susceptible to freezing just like the rest of your pipes.
Water Heater Issues
The water heater in your home sees a lot of use during the wintertime. It’s likely that you’re utilizing more hot water for showers or baths compared to the summer months. This equipment is also used to provide hot water for cleaning, cooking, etc.
It’s essential that you have your water heater serviced once per year. This ensures your unit is working reliably and efficiently. Our team of water heater services experts can drain your water heater and flush it clear of any sediment and debris that has accumulated inside of it. Leaving this material in your tank can decrease efficiency and lead to wear and tear. We will also inspect your water heater and check the anode rod. This rod is a sacrificial piece of equipment that is used to collect any sediment and minerals that are in your tank. This protects the rest of your tank and its related components.
Frozen Outdoor Spigots
Prior to winter starting, you should winterize your outdoor spigots. Detach any hoses and equipment attached to your spigot. Turn off the water source to these spigots and drain the rest of the water from them. If any water is left inside, this can cause the fixtures to become frozen and cracked, resulting in easy-to-miss leaks springing inside your home. You may also fail to see that your spigots are damaged until spring comes around and you try to use them for the first time that year.
If you would like professional assistance with your Boylston home this winter, reach out to the knowledgeable team here at DeWolfe Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. In addition to a variety of plumbing services, we also install, maintain, and repair different heating and cooling equipment types. We also address indoor air quality concerns, work on sump pumps, service ductwork, provide excavation services, and much more.
Reach out to DeWolfe Plumbing, Heating & Cooling in Boylston today to schedule an appointment.
