Many New Englanders desire older homes for their traditional charm. These houses were also often built with stronger, more durable materials than many newer ones. While living in a vintage home in Massachusetts has its advantages, it can also present numerous challenges, especially when it comes to winter plumbing problems. We’ll cover the ways that winter can affect the plumbing in older homes and provide some tips on how to avoid major issues.
How Does Late-Winter Weather Affect Plumbing?
Late winter weather can be unpredictable, with freezing temperatures at night and much warmer temperatures in the afternoon. Cold weather always poses certain issues for a house’s plumbing system, such as forcing the water heater to work much harder. The freeze-thaw cycles that regularly happen in late winter can be equally problematic, especially for underground water and sewer lines.
If you live in an older home, watch out for the following common plumbing problems in winter:
- Frozen pipes
- Plumbing leaks
- Drain clogs and sewer backups
- Water heater failure
Why Are Older Homes More at Risk of Frozen Pipes?
Outdoor plumbing fixtures like hose bibs are at a high risk of freezing during cold weather. That’s why you should always shut off the water to every outdoor fixture from inside the house and then drain the fixture before winter arrives. In newer homes, these steps are usually sufficient to prevent both the hose bib and the pipe it connects to from freezing. That’s because newer homes in places that experience freezing temperatures always have frost-proof hose bibs.
Many older homes have standard hose bibs, which are much shorter and connect to the water line right inside the foundation wall. Even if you shut off the water and drain the pipe, the supply pipe next to the foundation remains full. The fact that frost-proof hose bibs are longer and extend further inside means that the water line is further away from the foundation, where the air is warmer, and the pipe is much less likely to freeze.
The other reason that older homes can have more issues with frozen pipes is that many of the water lines are located within exterior walls. The walls in older homes also tend to be poorly insulated, which can lead to these pipes freezing and potentially cracking or breaking during a cold snap. This is much less of an issue with newer homes. Not only are newer homes much better insulated, but updated building codes also generally prohibit installing water and drain lines in exterior walls.
Taking the following steps will go a long way toward helping you avoid your pipes freezing during a late-winter freeze:
- Replace old standard hose bibs with frost-proof bibs.
- Insulate exposed pipes in the basement or crawl space.
- Seal any air leaks in foundation walls.
- Leave a trickle of water running from sinks and showers on exterior walls during freezing weather.
- Open cabinet doors below sinks on exterior walls to allow warm air inside the cabinet.
- Reroute any water lines located in exterior walls.
Why Are Plumbing Leaks More Common in Older Homes?
Plumbing leaks are another common problem you can encounter in an older home, mainly because many older houses have outdated pipes. Galvanized pipes are especially at risk of developing leaks during winter. Most galvanized pipes still in use are significantly corroded, making them weaker and more brittle. Temperature changes cause metal pipes to expand and contract, which can lead to cracking or breaking. Additionally, the pipe fittings that connect galvanized or copper pipes together weaken over time, further increasing the risk of leaks and the need for pipe repairs.
A licensed plumber is always your best bet when it comes to repairing a plumbing leak due to the potential for extensive damage to your home and belongings. With a single isolated leak, a spot fix should prevent further issues. However, if you frequently deal with leaks, your plumbing could be failing. The best solution in this situation is to have a plumbing contractor repipe your house, which means replacing all its water lines. While this is a fairly costly and extensive undertaking, it will help you avoid frequent repairs and expensive water damage.
The risk of major water damage makes it crucial to watch out for signs of a plumbing leak, such as:
- Wet spots on drywall
- Yellow or brown water stains on a wall or ceiling
- Visible mold growth
- Moldy or musty odors near plumbing fixtures
- An unexpected spike in your monthly water bill
Why Do Drain and Sewer Issues Arise More Often in Winter?
Winter poses various challenges to a home’s drain and sewer system, potentially leading to issues like clogs and sewage backups. Many people cook more during the winter, especially over the holiday season. This can result in more grease, oil, and food particles washing down the drain and collecting within the drainpipes or the sewer line. This debris can then slowly collect other solid materials, resulting in a major clog.
Snowmelt and freeze-thaw cycles can cause major sewer issues, especially in older homes with cast-iron sewer lines. Cast iron is highly susceptible to rust and corrosion, which can obstruct the sewer line and trap food scraps, toilet paper, and solid waste. Rust and corrosion also weaken cast iron and make it brittle. One concern in winter is that snowmelt can cause the soil around a sewer line to expand so much that the cast-iron pipe suddenly cracks, breaks or collapses. Soil also expands as it freezes and can create the same issues. The continual expansion and contraction of the soil during freeze-thaw cycles can cause a sewer line to settle, forming a belly that traps waste and eventually leads to a clog.
The best way to avoid drain and sewer problems during winter is to be extra careful about what goes down your drains and toilets and to schedule a camera inspection so that you can catch any problems early on. If you have a cast-iron sewer line, replacing it is the best solution for avoiding major issues like backups and sewage leaks.
How Can Cold Weather Lead to Sudden Water Heater Failure?
Water heaters always have to work harder during the winter, partly because the incoming water is colder. The fact that many older homes are poorly insulated also creates problems. If the air around the water heater is colder, there’s more heat loss through the tank. The appliance must run and reheat the water in the tank more often. Both of these issues lead to increased wear and tear, which can cause an aging water heater to suddenly fail. Having a plumber inspect, service, and flush your water heater regularly helps it to heat more effectively so that it doesn’t have to work as hard during the winter. The plumber can also identify any issues that could lead to a sudden failure and advise you whether you should replace your water heater.
At DeWolfe Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, our expert plumbers are ready to help you overcome any plumbing problems you’re experiencing. From drain and sewer cleaning to pipe repairs and water heater replacement, we have the professional solutions to your plumbing needs.
To schedule a plumbing inspection or service call in West Boylston, Yarmouth, Falmouth, or any of the surrounding areas, contact DeWolfe Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today.
