Is Your Plumbing Winter-Ready?

This is Calgary, so we’ll be honest: your plumbing really should have been winter-ready last month. However, if you’ve just been too busy to get around to it, you can still help to avoid winter plumbing issues.

Pipe Insulation.

Most Albertans know that it’s necessary to shut off water to their sprinkler system and outdoor faucets during the winter. But did you know that pipes running through an unheated garage or attic can also burst? One of the easiest ways to keep these pipes in good working order all year round is to add a little insulation. In under an hour, you can have them insulated and protected from the elements. Of course, insulating the whole attic rather than just the pipes will also do wonders for your utility bill, so you may want to consider that as well.

Hair Snares.

If you’re hosting the entire family over the holidays, you may want to spend a toonie on a hair snare or other metal screen. These little mesh domes fit into your drain without the use of tools, and they catch hair, fluff, food, and anything else your 2 year old niece may be tempted to wash down the drain.

Outdoor Hoses & Faucets.

As we’ve already mentioned, outdoor faucets need to be turned off during the winter. If you haven’t done this already, you best do it now. Try to drain the water from any hoses or faucets if you can, then turn the outdoor water off completely. Hoses should be neatly stored away in the basement or garage. They aren’t built to survive our harsh Canadian winter.

Flush the Water Heater.

Finally, it’s a really good idea to clear out your hot water heater before all the guests arrive. Over the year, sediment collects in the bottom of the heater, and that’s a real problem. As sediment builds up, there’s less hot water available for all the extra showers, the water is harder (so it won’t mix as well with soap or shampoo), and it can even lead to problems with the heater. At least once a year (twice is better), you should completely drain the heater and clear out the sediment. If you need help flushing the water heater or you smell anything weird when you do it yourself, we recommend calling a trusted Calgary plumber.

Is your plumbing ready for the holidays and colder months? The experts at the Plumbing Paramedics are here to help with winter plumbing issues! Contact us today to make sure everything from your taps to your toilet is running smoothly for your guests.