Winter is coming in just a few short days! Are you ready for the cold weather and all that comes with it? If not, don’t worry; we’ve got your back with all things plumbing related. Whether you need help clearing a drain or are looking for some tips to get your plumbing ready for colder weather, give us a call, and we’ll be prepared to help.
In today’s blog post, we’re covering all of our top winter plumbing tips as well as some tips and tricks you can utilize year-round. Give it a read, and let us know what you think!
Winter Tips
Add Insulation
You’re likely familiar with home insulation in places like your attic and your walls, but did you know that insulation should also be added to your plumbing? That’s right! Our team recommends insulating the water heater and the water supply pipes that run from the water heater.
All you’ll need is an insulation blanket and wrap it around the water heater tank. This will allow you to lower the thermostat on the water heater since more of the generated heat will be retained in the tank. Insulating the pipes will further help retain heat so that the water remains the desired temperature all along its journey from the water heater to your sink faucet or showerhead.
Shut Off Exterior Water
While freezing temperatures aren’t typical in this part of Arizona, they do happen from time to time. In the event that it does get this chilly, make sure to shut off all of your exterior water and drain all of the pipes of water. This will prevent water in the pipes from freezing and potentially bursting a pipe.
Additionally, it’s generally a good idea to cut back on the number of times you water your lawn in the winter. We recommend only water your lawn 2 to 3 times a week to keep it hydrated while also not going overboard.
Year-Round Tips
Watch What You Put Down the Drain
We tend to think of our drains as secondary garbage cans, whether it’s the sink drain or toilet, but this can lead to frustrating consequences.
Toilet
When it comes to your toilet, the only things that should get flushed are organic waste and toilet paper; that’s it!
Even if an item says that it’s “flushable,” it will not fully break down in the water the same way toilet paper and organic waste do. Here are the most common items that people think they can flush:
- “Flushable” wipes
- “Flushable” kitty litter
- Dental floss
- Cotton pads and cotton swabs
- Facial tissues
Sink
If we’re referring to the bathroom sink, then the item most likely to clog your drain is hair. The best way to avoid this is by making sure to collect hair from the sink as it falls out, but you can also try using a mesh drain catcher. The mesh will catch all of the hair, as well as other debris before it has a chance to slide down the drain. Just make sure to clean the drain catcher regularly.
When taking care of the kitchen sink, make sure to avoid tossing grease, fibrous foods, eggshells, and coffee grounds down the drain! These items form a sticky mess that lead to major clogs down the line.
Whenever you run into a plumbing obstacle, don’t hesitate to contact our team of professionals for assistance. We are proud to offer 24-hour emergency services because we understand that plumbing emergencies don’t occur on your schedule.
Contact us via our website or by calling us at (623) 250-5883 for more information about our services and how we can help you today! We look forward to hearing from you.
