Hello World! Welcome Friends! Colorado Springs is beautiful all year round, even during the coldest winter. Unfortunately, your plumbing pipes do not appreciate the frosty weather and do not love excessive water usage during the dry seasons (which is most of the year).
If you do not want to call your local Colorado Springs plumber every couple of months for a plumbing emergency, you should perform proactive plumbing maintenance. This will help ensure that your plumbing system runs smoothly all year long.
Climate and Water Impact on Plumbing Systems
Colorado Springs, like many cities in the U.S., experiences extremely low temperatures in winter. When water freezes during these plummeting temperatures, it expands, which can cause pipes to crack and burst.
Moreover, Colorado Springs has a hard water supply that is high in minerals. In some areas, this may result in a heavy mineral buildup in pipes and fixtures. When the buildup becomes too dense, pipes cannot work properly and may become clogged.
The city also gets far less rain than the national average, which can contribute to dry drains and pipes. This could lead to clogs and backflow, particularly in older homes.
Maintenance for All Seasons
To prevent a plumbing emergency due to any of these scenarios, you must do basic essential maintenance on your plumbing system.
This includes checking your pipes and fittings every few months for leaks, cracks, and rust. Look for loose connections, especially under sinks and behind appliances. Remember to check the pipes in the basement.
You should also run all the faucets occasionally to check for leaks or uneven water pressure. Flush all toilets and see if the water drains quickly or slowly. If one or more toilets flush incompletely, you may already have a serious problem.
Be sure to clean the drain instead of leaving it until the water backs up. You can use a sink strainer to catch food scraps and other debris. However, do not clean your drain with chemical drain cleaners, as they can severely damage pipes.
Your water heater should also be inspected annually. This will help you find sediment buildup or failing heating elements before issues arise.
Winterproof Your Plumbing System
Before the weather turns freezing, you should winterproof your plumbing system. You can do this by insulating all exposed basement, garage, and crawlspace pipes. If you are unfamiliar with insulation, you can get a professional to do the insulation for you.
If you find leaks during your inspection before winter, you must get them fixed immediately. If you leave them to get worse, it can damage large parts of your home.
You should also continue to inspect your plumbing system for leaks during winter. Leaks are common in cold weather because the process of water freezing and melting around pipes allows more water to seep in. Because of the expanding water, pipes may burst, especially in the kitchen or bathroom.
Remove garden hoses from the bibs to prevent water from getting trapped and damaging your plumbing.
Lastly, if you do not know where your main water shutoff valve is, locate it before winter arrives. Doing this will allow you to shut off the water supply in the event of a pipe burst during cold snaps.
Prevent Hard Water From Damaging Your Plumbing System
Softening hard water should form part of your maintenance routine. Consider installing a water softener system that removes minerals (calcium, magnesium, and heavy metals) from your home’s water supply. This system will reduce scale buildup in your pipes and appliances.
Benefits of Regular Plumbing Maintenance
Following these maintenance steps will significantly reduce the chances of a plumbing emergency in your home. You will also be spared stress, inconvenience, and widespread water damage by default.
Regular maintenance will save you money because catching minor issues will only cost a little to fix.
Furthermore, keeping your plumbing system clean and free of buildup ensures that it operates efficiently. You will also enjoy properly functioning fixtures and appliances for much longer. This may even translate to lower water bills.
Taking Action Early Prevents Major Plumbing Emergencies
Never wait for a pipe to burst or a toilet to overflow before you take definitive action regarding your plumbing system. If you do not want to do regular inspections, schedule an extensive inspection with a plumbing professional at least once a year.
This will help you identify and fix problems before they cost you a lot of money. Your plumber can also recommend further preventative measures to protect your plumbing system.
Putting in a little extra effort now can help prevent a major disaster later.
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