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There are a lot of things that can go wrong with your plumbing system, but the potential for problems increases during the winter. If you own a home in Fort Lauderdale, FL, you need to make sure you’re keeping an eye out for problems during the winter so you know when it’s time to call a plumbing company. There are also steps you need to take to prevent these winter plumbing problems from leaving you without access to the things you need on a daily basis. If you want to know when it’s time to call a plumbing company for help this winter, here are five problems to watch out for.
1. Burst Pipes
No matter where you live, you have to keep an eye out for burst pipes if you want to avoid large plumbing service bills. While there are a lot of problems that can affect your plumbing system during the winter, most of those problems don’t have the potential to cause the damage that burst pipes can. If a pipe bursts in your home, it could cause thousands of dollars in water damage in addition to the amount you have to pay a plumbing company to fix the pipe.
The good news about burst pipes is that there are some simple steps you can take to help prevent them. For starters, you should have a plumber take a look at your plumbing system and identify any pipes that might be at risk of freezing. If you’ve got pipes that might freeze during the winter, you can have them insulated or wrapped in heat tape to prevent that. You can also keep your home a bit warmer during the winter to prevent frozen pipes.
2. Clogged Drains
It doesn’t matter what time of year it is, clogged drains are always one of the biggest problems you have to contend with in your home. You might think clogged drains are just a bit of an annoyance, but the fact of the matter is they can cause a lot of damage if they lead to backups deep in your drainage system. If you’ve got a clogged drain that you can’t get unclogged, you should always call a plumbing company.
Preventing clogged drains is fairly simple, fortunately. One of the biggest things you can do to keep your drains clean is try to avoid putting solid waste down them. The less you can flush down your toilet or put down your kitchen sink, the better off you are.
You should also make sure you’re using the right type of drain cleaner. Most plumbers recommend enzyme-based cleaners because chemical-based cleaners like Drano can corrode your pipes and cause further problems.
3. No Hot Water
The last thing you want when you wake up on a cold winter morning is to jump in the shower and be met with cold water. The good news is, you can prevent yourself from having to deal with water heater problems by simply having your water heater inspected on a regular basis. You should have a plumbing company take a look at your water heater and flush the sediment at least once a year to keep it in good shape.
If you haven’t had anybody look at the water heater in your home for a while, now is the perfect time to have it inspected. Whether you’ve got a bad heating element or corrosion of the tank of your water heater, it’s important to get it fixed as soon as you can.
4. Frozen Hose Bib
Freezing is one of the biggest concerns when it comes to winter weather, and that extends to your hose bib. Since your hose bib is the most exposed part of your entire plumbing system, it’s generally the first part to freeze if the weather gets cold enough. To prevent this, you should have a plumbing company prepare your hose bib for the winter weather.
Your hose bib needs to be both drained and properly insulated to prevent freezing. The problem is, most homeowners don’t know how to drain their hose bib and they aren’t confident that they can do the job right and prevent a frozen pipe. If you want to make sure your hose bib is properly drained and covered to prevent freezing, your best bet is calling a plumbing company to have it fixed.
5. Leaks
Leaks are another problem you have to keep an eye out for year-round. The problem is, a lot of people let plumbing leaks go unnoticed because they often occur in areas where you don’t look. The best thing you can do when it comes to preventing leaks from causing major water damage and other problems in your home is keep an eye on your water bill, listen for water running when it shouldn’t be and look out for mold and mildew smells.
Leaks can occur for a variety of reasons, but it’s always important to have a plumbing company take a look at your home as soon as possible if you’ve got a leak. Even a small leak can cost you a fortune on your water bill, not to mention the water damage it can cause in your home.
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Taking care of the plumbing system in your Fort Lauderdale, FL, home is a lot of work, especially when you consider the fact that you’re not a plumbing expert. As a homeowner, it’s your job to keep an eye out and call a professional when the time comes.
If you’re a homeowner in the area, the best thing you can do when you spot a plumbing problem is call bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of Fort Lauderdale. When it comes to preventing winter plumbing problems, we’ve got you covered. No matter what plumbing needs you have, you can always call bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of Fort Lauderdale.
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