Leaks in your home’s water lines are bad enough, but do you know what makes them worse? ICE. Water is one of the only things that expands when it becomes a solid. That’s great for making ice cubes but not so much for your pipes.
While freezing temperatures aren’t too much of a concern in the warmer parts of the country, that doesn’t mean you can’t find yourself suffering the effects of frozen water pipes. It only takes one night of low temperatures for exposed pipes or small leaks to become a significant problem.
Don’t wait for the ice to ravage your home’s plumbing! Instead, take these simple precautions and save yourself the hassle of dealing with significant foundation damage or other issues once spring comes around.
Start Monitoring Your Water Bill
Identify possible issues by starting where it hurts you the most; your wallet. If you keep a close eye on your water bill each month, you’ll be sure to notice if there’s a sudden surge in the amount of water your property uses.
Unless you recently installed a pool or other significant water feature, the large uptick in your latest bill results from a leak in your line. Even a tiny drip can cost you several gallons over a day!
Identify Any Leaks
Once you’ve poured over your water bill, it’s time to focus that same attention on your home. Suppose you know where your plumbing lies, congratulations; you’ve already won half the battle. Next, focus on areas that appear to have water damage despite not being near a plumbing fixture.
Do you see any black or green fuzzy gunk in the areas that appear wet? Could you not touch it? Put on a mask before you proceed any further because you’re likely dealing with mold. Molds can produce mycotoxins that sometimes serve as deadly neurotoxins! It would help if you didn’t disturb them, but note every location with mildew or a wet spot.
If you can’t locate the source of your leak, go ahead and call a local plumber. They should be able to help you pinpoint the exact location of your leaks in no time.
Check Your Outdoor Plumbing
If there don’t seem to be any leaks indoors, you might want to try checking all of your outdoor faucets. It’s easy to miss small changes in your outdoor faucets unless you use them regularly, but they’re a common source of water leaks.
The valves that stop water flowing often fill with sediment, don’t sit right, and then allow water to pass through unintentionally. Otherwise, the last frosts might have already affected your outdoor plumbing and unseated the components inside a hose bib, causing it to leak.
Whatever the case, inspect any plumbing fixtures you may have outdoors and consider replacing valves or insulating the most vulnerable institutions.
Flush Your Water Heater
With temperatures dropping, you’re sure to use your home’s hot water system more than usual. Unfortunately, this extra use will put your water heater under increased stress and cause more sediment to settle in the tank. That’s why it’s essential to flush your heater of any existing residue before the start of winter. Otherwise, that residue will be unleashed later in the year and cause pressure buildup, leading to leaks and more.
Have A Plumber Repair Existing Problems
If you know you have a plumbing issue that you’ve been putting off, now is the time to take care of it. Cold weather only worsens plumbing issues, and water seeping into your home will likely compromise the structure’s integrity. Simply put, plan to take care of issues early or pay for major repairs later.
Find Yourself A Good Plumber
We get that no one wants to call a plumber. Choosing one is complex, and paying for good work can be expensive. However, calling a plumber is far less costly than paying for the repairs that come after a water line has burst and damaged the foundation of a building. Most calls and consultations with good plumbers are entirely free!
We advise you to find a good plumber, like Built With Freedom, and hold onto them. Not only will they save you money on repairs, but they’ll also make sure you’re always well taken care of. With a reliable plumber like Built With Freedom on your side, you’ll never have to worry about your plumbing again, as you’ll always know who to turn to for water leak repair and other services.