Winter on Long Island is usually a time when people need heat the most. However, it should be noted that the cold weather is no friend to water pipes. Most plumbing problems occur during winter.
This is why it is important to ensure that you are aware of any causes of emergency plumbing problems during winter.
Burst Pipes
When the water inside the pipes freezes, it will cause expansion. If there is not enough room in the pipe for this, the water pipe will end up bursting. This is a serious problem as it means that new pipes will need to be installed right away. This can be quite problematic because the water is frozen. However, an experienced plumber will be able to do the job.
How does one prevent burst water pipes? Well, the pipes can be protected from cold by wrapping any cold resistant material around them. Most of the time plumbers will recommend insulating the pipes to prevent freezing.
Frozen Pipes
This is also another common plumbing problem during winter. Due to the cold weather, the pipes often freeze leaving a minimum amount of water to pass through. This can be very frustrating as it means that the water pressure in the taps will decrease. To prevent this problem, insulating the pipes is advisable. This ensures that the pipes are not affected by the cold and remain warm enough for the water to pass through.
If your pipes are not insulated, it is best to do so before the winter season to avoid the frozen pipe problem.
Clogged Drain
This is also another problem during winter. When the debris that is carried by the water is left in the pipe, it may find its way into the water pipe and then freeze at the top. This will mean that there is no water passing through the drain. It can cause toilets, kitchen sinks and other drains to become clogged and create water damage.
It is always best to clean out any dirt around water pipes as well as gutters on the roof. This prevents the dirt from finding its way into water pipes or drains.
Leaking Taps Or Pipes
This is often caused by any water hoses that are left outside. They may freeze and cause damage to the pipes inside the home. Once the pipes in the home start leaking, it becomes a huge problem. The leaks can damage the basement or ceiling depending on where the pipes are located. Leaking pipes are dangerous as they are the main cause of flooding and water damage.
Flooding happens when the leaking pipes are left for too long. The leak can become larger and more water will get in the house. If the house is not checked for a while, there’s be a big possibility of too much water damage. This will cause you to spend lots of money buying new items as well as on mold removal services since mold will likely start to grow on the affected surfaces.
To prevent water hoses from getting frozen and affecting the pipes in the house, you can have insulated faucets. These will be a big help in ensuring no frozen water passes through. You should also turn off all taps that are connected to the hoses.
Hot Water Systems Not Functioning
Due to the extreme cold, most hot water systems will have to be set at their maximum limit to ensure you are getting enough hot water. The water is unusually cold so this means that the water heater will be heating up extra to warm the cold water. This can often cause the hot water system to fail because it will be working at full capacity all through.
To prevent this problem, it is important to ensure that the hot water system is checked regularly before the winter period. You can also have it set at maximum limit severally before the winter so that the systems are used to these settings by the time it is winter.
If you have an emergency plumbing problem on Long Island, it is crucial to take care of it immediately to prevent any further damage because it will end up being more costly to repair.