Three Tips to Avoid Cold-Related Plumbing Problems

If there’s one thing plumbing doesn’t get along with it’s freezing temperatures. The water inside the plumbing can freeze causing cracks or even burst the pipe. After that, leaks are nearly inevitable and those can cause all kinds of damage on their own. Many of us are also dependent on hot water tanks to keep our homes and places of work warm. Here are three tips to help keep your home safe from plumbing or flood problems this winter.

Outside Faucets. Most Canadian homeowners have an outdoor faucet where they can connect a hose to a sprinkler and what not. However, an outside faucet requires a couple quick steps to be winter-ready. You’re going to want to disconnect and drain all of your hoses. If your outside faucet is leaking, you’ll want to call a plumber to have that repaired. Inside your home, you likely have an interior shut-off valve that will prevent water from going to the outside faucet. Shut it off and drain the water from the pipes. If you do not have an interior shut-off valve, you may want to invest in an insulation kit.

Prevent Spring Flooding. While not technically a plumbing problem, spring flooding can cause a lot of problems. To help prevent this, you’ll want to clear out your gutters and make sure water runs away from the house easily. If your eavestroughs are overflowing or releasing water near the house, you’re going to be at a higher risk for flooding.

Be Kind to Your Water Tank. Water tanks aren’t exactly the most efficient part of your house. When sediments begin to collect in your tank, it can become even less efficient. Fortunately, you can drain these sediments yourself or have one of our expert Calgary plumbers do it for you! You can also help save money and reduce the risk of scalding by lowering the temperature on your water tank down to 120°F or around 49°C.

Winter can be hard on your plumbing and can cause other problems like flooding, but it doesn’t have to. If you have any questions or problems with your plumbing or furnace, call Plumbing Paramedics today at (403) 452-2911.