The weather is cooling off, which means winter is right around the corner–you’re swapping out your flip flops for insulated boots and trading in your tank tops for long sleeved shirts and fuzzy scarves. But preparing your wardrobe isn’t the only planning ahead you need to do with the pending drop in temperature. Whether you have lived in Chicagoland your entire life or you are new to the area, more than likely, you know there are precautions you have to take to protect your residential plumbing system when winter rolls around. If you’ve been experiencing problems with your plumbing or you simply would like someone to do a quality check, give the best and most professional plumbers in Mokena a call today. From water heater installation to pipe repair, drain cleaning and more, our extensive list of services in guaranteed to take care of any and all plumbing problems you may face.
There are several things you can do this winter to protect your residential plumbing. Below is a list of preventative steps you can take to ensure you avoid the costly damages of a burst pipe. Give us a call today if you would like to learn more about winterizing your plumbing.
How does a burst pipe occur?
When water freezes, it expands, and when water expands inside one of the pipes in your home, the result is a burst pipe. A burst pipe is a serious issue and should be taken very seriously–it’s a plumbing emergency and the resulting damages will be quite substantial and most likely, very expensive. If a pipe bursts, water will start to leak out of the pipe, making its way into your carpet, furniture, flooring, walls, electric wiring and more. With this in mind, it’s easy to understand how that kind of damage could be catastrophic. Not only will you have to spend a hearty chunk of change on repairs and replacements, you will also be putting your family’s health in jeopardy. Standing water or water that is deep in the walls and foundation of your home can eventually cause the growth of mildew or mold–both of which can lead to serious health issues, including death. Take the following precautions to prevent a burst pipe and water damage this winter:
Have Your Furnace Inspected
Your furnace is like oxygen during the winter months–it’s essential. Having your furnace inspected before the depths of winter is one of the best things you can do to ensure you never have to go without heat while the cold weather is knocking on your window. If your furnace goes out this winter, not only will your family experience the chilling effects of the breakdown, your pipes will also run the risk of freezing and bursting because of the cold temperatures. A pre-winter inspection by a highly qualified HVAC company will prevent future, costly repairs.
If one of your water pipes has already burst, call our team of expert plumbers immediately. We offer our emergency plumbing services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in need of immediate assistance, please call 708-743-7426.
Insulate Water Pipes In Unheated Areas
In many homes, water pipes run through the attic, garage or a crawl space. Because of their exposure to extremely low temperatures, pipes in these areas are very prone to freezing and bursting. Water pipes that run outside your home are very concerning and extra special attention should be paid to these areas when you begin insulating the pipes. Easy and inexpensive ways to insulate these pipes include wrapping them in newspaper, foam sleeves or heat tape.
Open Cabinets
If there are rooms in your home that get colder than others, or it’s extremely cold outside, open the doors to the cabinets under your sink to allow warmer to circulate around the pipes. This is an ultra simple and cost-free way ensure your pipes don’t freeze over and eventually burst. You can also run a small stream of warm water through the faucet and down the pipes to prevent them from freezing. These preventative measures are even more helpful if you live in a mobile home because cold air circulates below the floor. If you are someone who is constantly on the go and know right now that you will rarely remember to open your cabinet doors when temperatures drop, go ahead and insulate those under-sink water pipes, like we explained in the previous tip.
Winterize Outside Faucets
Of all the ways people should prepare their homes for winter, this is the most well-known preventative measure taken. Because outside faucets and hoses are exposed, directly, to the elements, they will take the brunt of the cold weather. This is why, if you decide to only follow one of these tips, let the be the one. To winterize your outside faucets, first disconnect and drain all of the water hoses. Make sure to drain all of the water because if any water remains and the faucet freezes, it can cause a buildup of pressure that would lead to a burst pipe in or underneath your home. If your home has a separate shutoff valve for the water supply to the outside spigots, make sure to shut that off as well.
Call Professional Plumbers In Mokena
Maneuvering winter weather comes with its fair share of challenges, so the last thing you want is to add extra stress in the form of a frozen or burst pipe. In addition to having your plumbing inspected by our team of professionals, following the simple steps above is a great way to give yourself peace of mind knowing you have fully prepared for the ultra cold temperatures ahead. At RJ Graham Plumbing, your happiness is our priority and we are committed to providing you with the most positive and professional experience possible. Our Mokena plumbers are fully licensed and insured—they are qualified and experienced in all types of maintenance and repairs. From pipe repair to drain cleaning, water heater maintenance and faucet repairs, the list of services we offer is extensive. We guarantee the highest-quality work, always, and pride ourselves on delivering the fast, reliable service you deserve. Please get in contact with us today if you would like to make an appointment or if you have any questions about our expert services. We look forward to working with you soon.
