Hidden Plumbing Problems: What to Look for

As Winter Approaches, Take A Proactive Approach To Your Plumbing

4 November 2020

Herbert Chambers

As winter looms and temperatures start to drop, many homeowners start wringing their hands and hoping they don't face any serious plumbing issues in the coming months. Indeed, winter is the season for serious plumbing problems like frozen pipes and broken hot water heaters. But you don't have to stand there, helpless, just waiting for things to go wrong. Instead, be proactive— take these steps to keep your plumbing in good shape as the seasons change.

1. Identify non-insulated pipes, and take steps to protect them.

Frozen pipes are the biggest concern in the winter. Actually, it's not really the freezing that's the problem — it's what can happen afterwards. Water expands as it freezes, which means the ice inside the pipe put pressure on the walls of that pipe. This can cause the pipe to crack. Sometimes, you don't notice anything is wrong until the pipe thaws and water starts seeping through that crack. Other times, the pipe breaks dramatically, and water flows everywhere very quickly. Neither scenario is ideal. You want to keep your pipes from freezing, and the best way to do that depends on the pipe.

• If a pipe is exposed and you can do so, wrap some insulation around it.
• If you know there is an non-insulated pipe behind a cabinet, keep that cabinet open to let warm air in there.
• If there's a non-insulated pipe behind a wall, plan on leaving the water on at a slow trickle at the associated tap whenever the outdoor temperature drops below freezing.

2. Turn off the valves leading to outdoor hose bibs.

If you have an outdoor hose bib, turn the valves that lead to that bib off. Then, turn the outdoor faucet on to drain any remaining water out of that hose bib. This will prevent the bib from freezing, cracking, and leaking all over in the winter.

3. Flush your hot water heater.

Having a hot water heater fail at any time is not ideal, but having it fail in winter is the worst! It's no fun taking a cold shower when it's 20 degrees outside. To help keep your water heater working well all winter, flush it. Turn the water supply off, connect a hose to the drain pipe, and drain a bucket or two of water out. The sediment in the bottom of the tank should come out with this water, and a water heater works so much better when it's free from sediment.

If you take a proactive approach with your plumbing leading into winter, your winter should go more smoothly. Contact a plumbing contractor like Du-West Foundation Repair if you have any other concerns.

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