Taking Care of Your Plumbing During the Winter

The cold temperatures that the winter months bring can take a toll on more than your daily comfort. If that chill reaches the pipes of a home, it can also affect the plumbing. While having plumbers Lakeland on speed dial isn’t a bad idea, it’s equally as important to understand just how falling temperatures impact the system both inside and outside. Here are some things to keep in mind in those rare cases where the temperature does drop.

Most Common Concern

Frozen pipes are by far the most common problem for homes in the winter. Pipes can burst as a result of freezing, leading to extensive water damage. In situations where they do burst, turn off the water supply to the house and contact a professional at Plumbing Repair Lakeland.

How to Prevent


If temperatures get to freezing, the plumbing needs some special attention. When the forecast calls for this type of weather, Plumbers recommend that homeowners open cabinet doors under sinks and let the heat of the house help keep pipes warm. Also, leave your faucet running a small stream or trickle during the night. Double check all foundation vents and see that they are closed and that there are no cracks or holes to let the cold underneath the house. Be certain that all outside hoses are disconnected and insulate or wrap the faucets.

There are pipes that are not in the ground as much where they enter the house. They are prone to freezing, however, an electrical heat tape strip can be applied to short spans of the pipe. If there is a sump pump, keep an eye on the pump outlet pipe going out of the house to make sure the end of the pipe is always clear and can drain away water it is trying to pump out of a crawl space. In situations where the pump comes on and is blocked with ice or snow, it can cause the water to come back into the pump area making it run all of the time.

These are all things that will help, but there will always be those cases where people forget, or this just isn’t enough. In those cases, if you find yourself in need of a contractor specializing in plumbing Lakeland, contact Richard Fox Plumbing who offers 24-hour emergency service. They handle all types of repairs, drain cleaning, water heater repair/replacement and much more. This is a full-service plumbing contractor.

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