Nampa, ID can experience some very cold winter weather, dipping down to the single digits at times. While you may focus on getting your heating system ready for the challenge, you need to check your plumbing system, too. Here are a few key plumbing issues that you may experience during the winter in Nampa.
Frozen Outdoor Piping
Running water outdoors is necessary for things like your hose bib, pool, outdoor kitchen sink, and irrigation system. Unfortunately, these are the most susceptible areas of your plumbing when it comes to freezing temperatures. When these pipes freeze, it can lead to bursting and even damage your outdoor plumbing fixtures.
One of the best ways to prevent this from happening in the first place is to drain the water from these lines. If you don’t have a bleeder valve, be sure to open the outdoor spigot to allow the ice to expand without damaging your water line. You can also invest in a frost-free hose bib to prevent freezing from occurring.
Frozen Indoor Piping
While your inside piping is less susceptible to freezing, it isn’t impossible. When pipes inside freeze, it can be frustrating for a couple of reasons. First, you lose your fresh water supply for things like showering, cleaning, and drinking. Second, water will expand as it freezes. This will put a lot of stress on the piping and can even cause it to crack. When your piping cracks, it will spew out water once the ice thaws. This can cause an extensive amount of damage to your home and belongings.
Fortunately, there are various tactics you can implement to keep the pipes inside your home from freezing. One of the most impactful is to set your thermostat no lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Another tactic is to install insulation on your water lines. A Styrofoam insulation sleeve is a great choice for helping your water lines to retain their heat instead of allowing it to dissipate into the surrounding air.
You may even want to consider adding a heat cable to piping in exterior walls and unheated areas of your home, like your attic or basement, to prevent freezing. These cables are powered by electricity and wrap directly around the piping. They have a built-in thermostat that turns the heating cable on and off depending on the temperature.
Clogged Drains
During the wintertime, the amount of waste that goes down your drain will likely increase. This will be due to things like spending more time indoors and having guests over for the holidays. Unfortunately, with an increase in waste comes a higher likelihood of experiencing a clog in your drain or sewer line. Common signs of a clog include standing water, slow-draining water, gurgling noises, and foul odors.
There are many great preventive tactics you can use to significantly reduce your risk of experiencing a clogged drain or sewer line. One of the most effective is to be mindful of what you put down the drain. Avoid flushing “flushable” wipes and feminine hygiene products. Don’t allow fat, oil, grease, coffee grounds, fruit peels, seeds, nuts, and similar items down your drain.
Additionally, consider investing in drain cleaning service before winter arrives. A professional will clean out your main sewer line and the drains in your home to remove any waste that’s present. Hydro jetting is a common service that uses high-pressure water to scour the inside of your piping in a safe and effective manner. By removing the debris that’s stuck inside your piping, you can greatly reduce your risk of experiencing a clog in the near future.
Water Heater Malfunctioning
Your water heater is another component of your plumbing system that will have an increased demand during the winter months. This will be caused by things like using more hot water and increasing the temperature of your water heater. As your demand for hot water increases, your water heater is more likely to malfunction.
Various components inside your water heater can fail during the winter months. Some of the most common include its internal heating element, thermostat, and anode rod. One of the best ways to reduce water heater problems during the winter is to have your water heater professionally serviced.
Lukewarm Water
One notable difference that many homeowners experience in winter is lukewarm water. When you turn on the hot water side of the faucet, the water will only seem to get slightly warm. While this can be the result of an internal issue with your water heater, it may simply be the result of cold weather.
As hot water leaves your hot water heater tank, it travels through a series of pipes to reach your plumbing fixtures. Throughout its journey, the temperature of your water can drop significantly. A simple solution to this issue can be to turn up the thermostat on your water heater. Try increasing the temperature by 10 degrees. After about an hour, try your hot water again to see if its temperature has risen. Another notable solution is to use insulation on your hot water lines so that they can better retain their heat.
Clogged Sump Pump
If your home uses a sump pump to deal with excess snowmelt, it’s going to get a lot of use during the winter months. Unfortunately, with this increased demand comes a higher risk of an equipment breakdown. If your sump pump fails to function, it can allow dangerous water to back up into your home.
Some common issues that your sump pump may experience include a jammed float switch, a clogged line, and a broken impeller. One of the best ways to prevent these issues from occurring is to schedule service every year from a plumbing professional. Additionally, ensure that your sump pump pit has a cover that will collect unwanted debris to prevent it from getting sucked into your pump and causing damage.
Frozen Well Pump
If you live in a rural area, it’s likely that you don’t have access to the city’s water supply line. Instead, you may rely on a private well to provide adequate fresh water to your home. Unfortunately, the cold winter weather can wreak havoc on the functioning of your pump. If you have a jet well pump, as compared to a deep well pump, it’s more prone to freezing during cold weather.
To prevent this from happening, it’s best to install your jet well pump in a well-insulated location. If possible, place it close to a heat source like your furnace to ensure that it receives adequate heat during cold spells. You may even want to consider using a space heater if you don’t have another source of heat at the well pump’s location.
Expert Plumbing Repair Service
Magic Electric, Plumbing, Heating + Air offers expert plumbing repair service to the Nampa, ID area. We can also help with all your electrical, drain, heating, air conditioning, and indoor air quality needs.
Call our team at Magic Electric, Plumbing, Heating + Air today to book an appointment with one of our skilled plumbing professionals.
