This time of year arrives with so much joy – adorable trick-or-treaters, family together around Thanksgiving meals, and the enchantment of the holidays. But with the lovely comes the ugly. The winter weather and bitter temperatures can cause a whole mess of plumbing problems. Chief/Bauer Service Experts is here with some preventative measures to help you decrease your chance of experiencing these common winter plumbing problems.
Frozen Pipes
Pipes freezing a common plumbing problem for Champaign. This usually takes place when high water pressure through the main water pipe encounters freezing temperatures. To help keep this plumbing problem from happening to you, leave a faucet slightly open to make sure the water can continually flow through. If you do discover a frozen pipe, turn off the main water supply to prevent the pipe from breaking. Try warming the frozen area of the pipe with warm water and if that doesn’t work, give Chief/Bauer a call and we’ll send one of our professional plumbers out to look at the trouble.
Broken Water Line
A leak or break in your water pipe could cause serious damage to your home. Water pipe openings or breaks are usually caused by a frozen garden hose. If you forget to disconnect your hose from your water spout during extreme temperatures, the ice inside can force pressure to build up in your home’s water piping and create a leak or a break. To prevent this issue, make sure your garden hoses are drained and disconnected prior to freezing temperatures.
Failing Hot Water Systems
If your hot water heater is not functioning as well as expected, confirm the temperature is set high enough. If you use a gas water heater, make sure the pilot light is still lit. If these aren’t the cause of your hot water issues, call Chief/Bauer Service Experts so we can send out a professional plumber to evaluate what’s going on. To prevent this issue altogether, ensure you are getting your annual hot water heater maintenance and it’s ideal if you service it well before cold temperatures set in. Call 217-689-2469 to ensure you don’t get left in the cold this winter.