As a top-rated Fairfax plumber, Randy Baldwin believes that great customer service isn’t just about providing quality plumbing services; it’s also about providing reliable information that can help customers take proper care of their plumbing systems. And since we still have a couple of cold months ahead of us, he wants to share some of his top tips for maintaining your plumbing this winter.
Top Winter Care Tips From Your Trusted Plumber
Plumbing problems are always inconvenient, but when a clogged drain, cracked sewer line or burst pipe occurs during the winter months, the situation is even more uncomfortable and complicated due to the low temperatures and frozen ground. To maintain your plumbing when it’s cold out, keep the following tips in mind:
- Keep your kitchen drain clean. Never pour cooking fat or oil down the drain, as this can congeal and create clogs. Also, refrain from putting metal, paper, plastic, cloth, or fibrous materials and food waste down the garbage disposal, as these types of materials can break it.
- Be smart with hot water. It takes more energy to heat water to the desired temperature during the winter, so it’s advisable to change your water use habits accordingly. Set the thermostat a couple of degrees higher than usual, but never higher than 125 degrees Fahrenheit. Instruct family members to leave at least 10 minutes between taking showers, as this will allow the water heater tank to fill up again. (Yes, this might mean getting up a couple of minutes earlier in the morning!)
- Check your property’s faucets and spigots weekly. Even if there are bathroom faucets or outdoor spigots you barely use, make sure to use them once a week to ensure they’re in good working order.
- Prepare the pipes. Frozen pipes mean trouble, as they can burst and cause a lot of water damage. Prevent this from happening by insulating the pipes before the temperature drops.
Call Your Local Plumber for Plumbing Repairs
If you have any problems with your plumbing during the winter, call Randy Baldwin at Home Service Doctors. He’ll come to your home as soon as possible and provide you with a top-quality plumbing service. So don’t wait until the damage gets worse: call Home Service Doctors right away!
