Don’t let your plumbing be a drain this winter

Plumbing tips for cold weather

As winter comes around again, the drop in temperature can put an extra strain on your household plumbing. To prevent costly plumbing repairs, it’s a good idea to do some checks and maintenance around your house and yard. That way, you’ll be less likely to have an expensive plumbing emergency at the darkest and chilliest time of year.

Read on to discover our top tips for making sure your plumbing doesn’t create problems or leave you out in the cold this winter.

Check your hot water system

Running out of hot water is never fun. It’s even less fun when the weather’s a bit nippy. Fortunately, there’s an easy way to avoid hot water problems: get your hot water system checked yearly by a reliable plumber. At Pete’s Plumbing Solutions, we’re experts when it comes to hot water systems. We’ll make sure everything’s operating correctly. And, if it’s not, we can sort out repairs for you.

Unblock drains

During the autumn, leaves and bark fall to the ground, often building up in drains and creating blockages. When the wetter weather arrives in the winter months, blocked drains can easily become overloaded, leading to backup and overflow problems. If this happens to you, contact a plumber immediately!

Better still, avoid this type of issue by unblocking your drains on a regular basis – ideally, at the start of winter. A professional plumber can help with this, getting the job done quickly and efficiently with the right equipment.

Unblock downpipes and gutters

Speaking of blockage problems, gutters and downpipes also need attention in winter.

Leaves and other plant debris can easily clog downpipes, causing water to collect in your roof gutters. This can cause damage to the roof and external walls and also the inside of your home. Pooled water can easily find its way into the crawlspace between the roof and ceiling, creating structural problems and potential electrical hazards.

If you have a rainwater tank, you also need unblocked gutters to get maximum water runoff.

What’s the solution? Check your roof gutters and downpipes a couple of times a year, especially during the cooler months. Clear away all plant debris to ensure rain drains off your roof in the correct way. If you don’t feel confident about unblocking your downpipes and gutters yourself, contact a reputable plumber.

For more specific information on blocked drains; signs, prevention, more DIY tips & what your local Wagga Plumber can do to help – you may also like to check out this article: How to clear a blocked drain & when you need to call an expert.

Look after your pipes

When temperatures dip, pipes exposed to the elements can freeze overnight. Cold or frozen pipes can crack, leak or burst, causing considerable damage to your home. You can avoid this problem by getting a plumber to wrap the pipes in foam, or other materials, to prevent them from freezing.

You should also get a plumber to do a general check of your pressure pipes (the ones that bring fresh water into your home) and your drain pipes (the ones that carry wastewater away). Winter is the time when pipes are more likely to leak due to the colder temperatures. A plumber will make sure the pipes are sealed properly to avoid leakage.

Give your garden hose a break

During the winter, you won’t need to water the garden and the kids won’t be begging you for a water fight. It’s a good time to disconnect, drain and store your garden hose in a safe place until things warm up again.

In colder weather, any water left inside a garden hose can freeze, extending up and into any connecting pipes and taps. In a worst-case scenario, you could end up with burst pipes. Be sure to shut off any valves leading to the outside hose to avoid a catastrophe.

In any case, it’s a good habit to put away garden hoses, trigger nozzles, sprinklers, and other gardening equipment during the winter to ensure they stay in good working condition.

Top tips for taps

Another important maintenance job for the winter is checking your taps. Does water keep dripping when they’re turned off? If so, you may need to replace the washer. Is your water bill too high? Maybe you should get a plumber to check if all your taps are working properly.

Routine home maintenance ensures healthy plumbing

To keep your home plumbing in good condition and prevent major winter malfunctions, you should carry out seasonal checks and routine maintenance. When you spot plumbing problems early on, they’re usually inexpensive to repair. When you leave them for too long, repairing them can become a big drain on your budget.

A local Wagga plumber for all seasons

At Pete’s Plumbing Solutions, we’re experts at spotting and repairing winter plumbing problems. In fact, we handle plumbing jobs big and small in all seasons in Wagga Wagga and the Riverina.

Find out about our full range of Wagga Plumbing Services, get in touch via our contact form, or give Pete a call on 0428 269 286.