Tips For Winterizing Your Home’s Exposed Plumbing

frozen pipe prevention tips for winterizing homeIt’s important to winterize your home’s pipe if you live in an area, such as Long Island, where temperatures go below freezing or nearly below freezing. Frozen pipes can lead to serious damage if they burst, which they can easily do. With that said, here are a few steps that can help you protect your home.

1. Find Vulnerable Pipes- You want to find pipes and plumbing that are subject to freezing temperatures. This is the first step you want to take when it comes to winterizing your home’s plumbing. Unheated basements, crawl spaces, garages and exterior walls are some of the most common areas.

Take a look at each area because you want to see if there is exposed plumbing or pipes that are leaking. If you don’t know whether or not if there are problems present, then consider calling a professional plumbing service. A local plumber should be able to tell you what you need to do.

2. Secure Your Exterior Pipes And Your Faucets- Next, you will want to figure out which faucets you can do without, as well as your exterior pipes. If water gets trapped in an exterior pipe, then it may expand. This could end up causing the pipe to burst, break or crack.

If you have garden hoses attached to your home, then disconnect them after draining them and then store them for the winter. If you just leave your hoses attached, then water will remain in the spigot. This can lead to water quickly freezing. A good idea is to cover the faucet with a cover that you can purchase at a hardware store.

If you have a lawn sprinkler system, then shut off the water supply to it. Drain the water from the pipes too. If you don’t know how to do this, then an irrigation company or a local plumber should be contacted. They will be able to provide you with help.

3. Insulate Pipes That Are Exposed- Insulating pipes is one of the best ways to prevent freezing during the winter, and it can actually reduce energy because it will lighten the load on the water heater. You can put some foam tubing or towels on pipes that are exposed in places such as basements and crawl spaces. Electrical heating tape is another good option to use, especially if the pipes are near a source of electricity.

4. Seal Up Troubled Areas- Have a look at exterior and interior areas where pipes and plumbing are exposed, and this includes areas such as crawl spaces and basements. Make sure you look at doorways, windows and vents to ensure seals are not coming loose or they have not been separated. If need be, then repair seals with caulking.

5. Prevent Pipe Problems Indoors- Finally, you’ll want to do what you can to prevent indoor pipe problems. When temperatures outside become very cold, then indoor pipes can be prone to freezing. As a general rule of thumb, you should open up the cabinets below the sinks. Doing this allows warm air to circulate.

Also, let your faucets drip slowly. You should consider setting the thermostat to at least 55 degrees too. The sooner you winterize your plumbing system, the better because it might help you avoid costly repairs and the hassle of dealing with frozen pipes.

Tips For Preventing Your Pipes From Freezing

frozen pipes in basementPlumbing leaks are something that many homeowners on Long Island face and can be caused by freezing during the winter. These leaks come about when the frozen water starts to expand instead of contract. When this happens, the water needs more space than it did before which causes the leaks.

The enclosed space of the pipe will not be able to hold the expanding water. When the pipe reaches its limit, it will burst and cause a plumbing leak. It is possible that this issue with freezing water can cause a number of leaks around the house which is a large problem that you will want to avoid.

This is why you should be aware of the different ways that you can prevent freezing in your pipes.

These prevention methods are particularly important if you are moving into a new house and are unsure about the state of the pipes. Of course, it is recommended that before you buy a house, you check the plumbing to ensure that preventative measures have been taken. If they have not been, you will need to know what they are, how to implement them and how they can help.

Coating The Pipes With Fiberglass

One of the simplest prevention methods is to coat the pipes in fiberglass. It is easy to find the materials for this in the local department store. If you are looking to reduce the costs of this process, you should look at only insulating the pipes that are out of the way such as those in the crawl space. These are the pipes that will not be exposed to the heat of the house and are more likely to freeze during the cold winter months.

If you are going to use fiberglass, you need to be careful as it can be dangerous particularly if you inhale it. This is why you need to have protective clothing including a mask before you start. If you are nervous about doing this yourself, you can hire a professional plumber to handle the job instead. This provides the additional benefit of ensuring the job is done correctly.

Get A Heat Trace Cable

A heat trace cable is a cable which has been made of metal with a very high heat conductivity rate. These cables are used to spread heat from any part of the house to another. When you run these cables along the pipes in your home, you can easily transfer heat from a warm part of your home to the pipes that do not generally feel this.

Most of these cables are actually very easy to install and it is something that you could do yourself. Of course, if you have a lot of pipes or do not have to time to do this yourself, you should consider hiring a plumber. Hiring a plumber to do this will cost more than doing it yourself, but it could take less time and be more effective in the long-run.

Make Use Of A Space Heater

Many people do not consider using a space heater to avoid freezing pipes. However, if you have an area of the house where most of your plumbing is located, you can use a space heater to ensure that the area is warm. The key to using this method is to ensure that the room is always at a warm temperature so that the water in the pipes cannot completely freeze and cause any damage.

Open Your Cabinet Doors

In most Long Island homes, the plumbing will run behind the cabinets. The problem with this is that the walls might not be properly insulated and this could allow the pipes to freeze. If this is the case in your home, you should open the cabinets to let the heat from the house warm the pipes. It is recommended that you try this method if you are sure that the pipes run through the wall and that the wall is not correctly insulated. If the wall is insulated, this method will not help very much.

Reducing the chance of freezing pipes using these methods is only a temporary solution and should not be considered a permanent fix. Many of these solutions will only help stop the freezing of water in the pipes, but will not reduce freezing completely. It is recommended that you use these solutions in the winter, but look at a more permanent solution during the summer months.

It is recommended that you hire a professional plumber to assess your plumbing during the summer. They will then be able to offer suggestions which will help you protect your plumbing in the winter. Getting a permanent solution in place will be cheaper in the long-run than constantly using temporary solutions of having to deal with the aftermath of freezing and bursting pipes. It will also be more convenient as you will not have to worry about anything.

A Leaky Hissing Water Pipe – When To Call A Plumber

Imagine waking up in the morning and getting ready to hop in the shower. Visualize yourself taking off your pajamas and tossing them on the floor. Then all of a sudden you hear some sort of strange noise coming from behind the wall in the shower? It’s a small hissing sound! Then the hissing sound gets a lot louder! Now it’s very loud! You have a leaky hissing water pipe on your hands!

You feel frustrated and angry because only two days earlier you had a leaky water pipe repaired under your Long Island house. Now this is happening! Your heart sinks in gloom and despair while you are standing around with no clothes on and your head is throbbing. You are sick and tired of everything! In this article we will be looking at two options to carry repairs out or to work on other related plumbing problems.

Think back when you had wrong sized pipes, improperly installed pipes, old water pipes, burst pipes or leaky hissing water pipes were just something you imagined. Now that you are a homeowner, anything associated with leaking water around your house is a problem and something you definitely need to worry about.

You’ve probably heard “money can’t buy happiness” before. That may be true but with leaky pipes it definitely can buy “peace of mind” for you if you are able to find someone qualified to get things fixed. With leaky pipes there is no such thing as peace of mind.

You need to determine whether the problem you have with water leaks can be solved by a minor task such as replacing a tap washer, or something more major such as replacing all your home’s water pipes. Go for it if you know how to do a simple repair. However, if the job is something beyond what you are capable of – which your gut will be able to tell you – then call a plumber!

Like anything else, anytime you are feeling unsure or uncomfortable about any aspect that relates to your home’s plumbing like a leaky hissing water pipe then it might be time to get professional advice. It will cost you money, but you should seek out a qualified, well respected professional plumber. To find a good one ask around with people you know. Usually a plumber will be able to assess the situation quickly and get it resolved. Any foreseeable problems will also usually be noticed and resolutions can be suggested.

I speak from painful experience unfortunately. I recently change all of my home’s water pipes. I was bound and determined to do this gigantic task on my own. I spent numerous hours working out where all of the pipes connected and got a plan drawn up that showed where the pipes went. I purchased all of the materials. However, my “gut” told me that I was taking on more than I could handle. I gave up on my cool idea of being able to do it on my own. What I did instead was hire a plumber and worked with him to learn as much as I possibly could. When I changed my mind, my wife was quite happy about that. It is all done now. We have peace of mind and are very happy.

Leaky Pipes? Reasons You Need To Contact A Plumbing Company

What To Do If Your Pipe Bursts?If you have ever experienced a plumbing issue, you know how inconvenient and frustrating it can be. Now, imagine if a pipe freezes and bursts, the toilet overflows or you develop a leak in your wall.

Each of these issues can cause expensive and health hazardous water damage. Plumbing problems are something that everyone wants to avoid, which is why homeowners stock up on chemicals that are used to removes clogs and keep your plumbing working great.

Although you can use these products occasionally, if you find that you are needing these products often or your plumbing issue has become more than you can handle, it is time to call in a professional plumber.

A licensed plumber is specially trained to handle all types of plumbing issues that are causing your problems. You may think that it is easy to fix a plumbing leak under your sink; however, if you attempt to make such repairs without the assistance of a professionally trained plumber, you could find yourself in a very soggy situation and the once simple fix could become a much larger problem.

Believe it or not, there is more to fixing a leaky pipe that you would imagine. That pipe often disappears into your walls, ceiling or floors and travel to other plumbing fixtures in your home, including the kitchen sink, the shower, the bathroom sink, the toilet and the laundry room. There are repair manuals out that can help; however, if you do not know what is broken or have the skills needed to make the repairs, you can wind up in a sticky situation.

Hiring a plumber is your best bet. A plumber will diagnose the problem and make the necessary repairs quickly and correctly the first time. Saving you time, headaches and even more costly repairs. Once a professional plumber assesses the situation, you can rest assured that your plumbing issue will be fixed right the first time.

Having the name and number of a quality, licensed plumber on hand can save you time and money should an issue arise. When searching for a plumber, find one that offers 24 hour service. Rather than needing to wait until normal business hours, the plumber will be available when a disaster strikes. Additionally, if you are considering purchasing a new house, you should have the plumbing system inspected by a licensed plumbing company before finalizing the contract.

Plumbing issues can arise at any time, which is why you need a plumber that has the skills and expertise to handle all of your plumbing needs. If you do not do your research first, you may find yourself at the hands of an unscrupulous plumber. By taking the time to research and find a licensed professional, you can protect yourself and your home’s plumbing system from damage.

Although you may be able to handle minor plumbing issues like a clogged toilet, you should leave the large and more difficult jobs to the professionals. If you try to fix a plumbing issue, you can make a small problem become a larger and more expensive plumbing issue.

5 of the Top Common Residential Plumbing Emergencies

24-Hour Emergency Plumber Service on Long IslandThe most common plumbing situations that people call plumbers for include drain clogs, broken pipes, and gas leaks. These residential plumbing issues can be prevented right from the start. Certainly, emergency residential plumbers will tell you that negligence in plumbing is the number one cause for problems like drain obstructions and defective pipes.

It is clear that people value their cars over their homes. Why is this? It is because people tend to service their cars regularly but when it comes to plumbing the task is put off. At least it goes unattended to until a dreaded plumbing emergency arrives. At this point, it is usually too late to do anything to lighten the damage that has been done.

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Locating a 24 Hour Plumber at Those Times When You Really Need One

Call Us 24 Hours A Day When You Have A Plumbing EmergencyOn the surface, a 24-hour plumber definitely sounds like a good thing. However, it may cause you a great deal of anxiety since that usually means that your house is experiencing a major plumbing emergency.

A majority of homeowners on Long Island have a tendency to view their houses as being on a type of schedule that is well suited to them, so that when they are resting they think their house is too. Unfortunately, your house basically operates on its own in one form or another, and that is also true of your plumbing.

The problem that many homeowners are faced with is that they aren’t prepared for any emergency, or at least those emergencies they are unable to see. This might appear to be a practice that is best left to those people who planning for everything and anything that might go wrong.

However, the best way to view this is to consider it to be preventative planning. What you are doing is being proactive, and this is always something positive. The plumbing in your house might be operating smoothly, however that doesn’t mean this isn’t a good time for you to find a dependable professional plumber to start building a good relationship with. They can come out to your home to check out the plumbing to ensure that everything is running smoothly. They can also help by highlighting any potential spots that you need to watch for and provide you with tips on how to work the largest plumbing safety points in your home – water shut-off valves.

Now the main question once again is how exactly does one find a 24-hour plumber on Long Island to begin with. There is always the option of taking an old school approach and looking through a phone book. The yellow pages, after all, for generations have been the place to search for any kind of service that you might need. Also, plumbers are organized in one location along with their contact information, and since they are usually interested in how you located them, some plumbers might even offer you a discount if you mention their phone book ad when you call them.

Another thing you can do is take advantage of the raw power that the search engines possess. Since the internet enables you to do specific searches like “24 hour plumber [zip code],” it will allow you to locate a plumber who is close-by to serve your needs. You can also find reviews from past customers who have used their services and find out whether they were satisfied or not.

Word of mouth is probably the best way of finding a good emergency plumber right when you need one the most. Ask your family and friends for any plumbing recommendations they might have. Your family and friends, after all, will most likely be looking out for your best interests as well as your wallet. That includes ensuring you get good plumber recommendations. You may also want to ask your neighbors as well. In most neighborhoods, when a homeowner is having a major service performed, quite often the service company will put lots of advertising out. That is due to the fact that they want the other neighbors business when their services are needed. It also means your neighbors are important resources that can help guide you in the proper direction whenever you need to have the same service done.

Finding the right 24-hour plumbing service on Long Island doesn’t necessary mean you have problems right now. All it means it that you are thinking ahead of time for when you will need them the most.

5 Signs You Need Plumbing Repairs

Problems Requiring Emergency Pipe RepairThe property market on Long Island has indeed evolved, and this is a fact. Today, every home built in this area contains crucial systems such as AC systems, Heater systems, electricity, and plumbing systems.

All these systems are essential to the overall comfort of a person. However, unlike other home systems, people take plumbing systems for granted, not until it is too late or no longer functioning.

Well, the fact is that maintaining your plumbing systems is very important. It is better to maintain your plumbing systems rather than having them fixed; because they will save you money in the long run. Below are 5 signs that you need plumbing repair.

1. Leaky Pipes

This is a major sight that your plumbing system needs repairs or maintaining. If you have continuous leaking pipes, then you need repairs. Leaking pipes are bad not only for you but your home as well. What does this mean? Well, it simply means that if you are experiencing leakages, it might damage the structure in your home (requiring construction repairs), as well as affecting the whole plumbing system.

Leaky pipes are mainly caused by rust, worn out connectors, or corrosion from mineral deposits. Therefore, the moment you notice water spots anywhere there is a plumbing system, call a professional immediately. Water spots can be identified through the mold, rotting floor boards, a spot in the ceiling, bad smells in the ceiling, or holes appearing in dry walls.

2. Low Water Pressure

Any time you experience low water pressure, the chances are that you need repairs. Keep in mind that pressure is what makes water flow from your bathtub, sinks, toilet, appliances, and anywhere else it is needed. If you are experiencing or getting low water pressure, then you need repairs. The technician will run diagnostics to determine what is causing low water pressure. Diagnostics usually begins from the main water supply to the rest. Low water pressure can be caused by leaking pipes, burst pipelines, or blockages.

3. Loud Strange Noises

Loud strange noise is a sign that you need repairs. Therefore, if you hear loud noises when turning your faucet and others, then you should have your systems looked at. Loud banging or sudden jolts from within the plumbing may be signs that leaks or damage exist. This could also mean that there are issues with the water heater and it needs to be looked at. Otherwise, you may end up with costly repairs and flooding.

4. Staining In Water

Did you know that old piping can sometimes corrode water or cause staining in the water? When this happens, it is wise not to consume that water and call your plumber immediately. If you notice deposits in the tap water or grayish to brownish coloring, you should avoid using it and get the plumbing checked.

5. Bad Taste In The Water

Just like stained water, bad taste or sulfuric smell are all signs of bad plumbing. In other words, if you notice that your water does not have that fresh smell, then you should avoid using that water and call a plumber immediately. Drinking such water may lead to health problems.

It is a fact that running water is a luxury that makes our lives comfortable. Therefore, if you keep your plumbing system in the right condition, you will end up saving much more.

Water Heater Problems And Their Causes

Water heaters play a big role in your home. They help satisfy all your hot water needs. Nevertheless, these products attract a few common issues no matter the brand, such as; leaks, no hot water, or not enough hot water.

The fact of the matter is that almost everyone has encountered these problems at one time or another.

Below are causes of common problems and ways to take preventive measures for the costly repairs.

Hot Water Heater Leaks

Leakages are the most common problem people experience. A person will usually notice there is a leak when there is a puddle of water around the bottom of the water heater tank. The problem often leads back to the reservoir itself. This is usually due to a crack in the internal tank. In this case, replacement is paramount.

The problem is mainly caused by the accumulation of water minerals. What does this mean? Well, it simply means that over time, water minerals accumulate and reacts with the steal. In the long run, it will cause corrosion. Therefore, when you notice a leak, it is paramount to call an expert plumber. The plumber will advise you on the best way forward.

It is not necessary to replace the whole unit though; the plumber may perform few repairs if the problem originates from the top. This kind of leak occurs if the plumbing part fails.

No Hot Water Or Not Enough Hot Water

Other common water heater repair issues can either be no hot water or not enough hot water.

No Hot Water…

If your issue is no hot water, then the problem may be the pilot light if you are using a gas heater. The good news is that you can turn on the pilot light yourself. Nonetheless, if you haven’t done this in the past or have no idea how to do it, then it is wise to call an expert.

If you are using an electric tank and you do not have hot water, it is wise to check your circuit breaker to see if it has tripped. If the breaker has not tripped, call a professional.

Not Enough Hot Water…

If the system is not heating water as needed, and there aren’t any leakages, then flushing the tank may be the best way forward so that mineral deposits are not reducing the system’s efficiency. Mineral buildup generally causes the problem. As time passes, minerals build-up occurs, which reduces the amount of hot water the system produces.

Summary

These are few common issues that people with either gas and electric water heaters may experience. If your problem is beyond the above issues, it is wise to call a plumber near you to fix your hot water heater. Do not even consider doing any repairs if you do not know what you are doing.

Always call a professional plumbing service near you on Long Island if you experience a problem with your heater. At times all you need is a quick water heater repair job.

Facts You Need To Know – Emergency Plumbing Services

What To Do When A Plumbing Emergency ArisesPlumbing systems are important commercially as well as at home. However, research has proven that not many people realize a problem not until it has occurred.

Prevention is always better than cure. In other words, it is better to maintain your plumbing rather than looking for a solution for a problem that you do not know where it is.

How do you keep your plumbing system?

Well, you can achieve this by:

• Being careful with what goes down your drain
• Checking for cracked plumbing hardware
• Checking for water leakages
• And ensuring everything is working properly

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