Winter Plumbing Maintenance Reminders

Winter is extra tough on our home’s plumbing system, and we’re currently in the middle of the season’s coldest months. Follow these winter plumbing maintenance reminders to help avoid major issues and costly repairs.

Protect Your Pipes from Freezing

Frozen pipes are probably the most common winter plumbing problem, especially here in Minnesota. When the temps drop way down and harsh winds blow, the plumbing in exterior walls is at an even higher risk. Follow these guidelines to help prevent frozen pipes:

• Keep the furnace running. If you want to lower the thermostat at night or when you’re away, it’s recommended to go no lower than 55 degrees (closer to 60 if extreme cold and high winds are expected).
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet and closet doors. This allows warm air to reach and circulate around the plumbing.
• Leave faucets dripping/trickling overnight. On extremely cold nights, allowing the water to run, even minimally, helps prevent them from freezing.

Be sure you know where your home’s main water valve is located for quick, easy access should a pipe freeze or burst. In that case, close the valve and call your local plumber.

Keep Your Drain Lines Clear

Food particles, soap scum, hair, and other debris naturally collect in pipes over time and cause clogs. They’re more susceptible in winter, however, as the cold, harsh weather can stiffen and solidify these blockages more rapidly. Professional drain cleaning service is recommended every two years, and you can help keep your drains clear with these tips:

• Use strainers to catch common blockages. Debris can’t collect and clog your drain if it doesn’t get in to begin with! Cover sink and tub drains (especially in the bathroom and kitchen where they’re used most often) with strainers to collect large particles and then toss them in the trash.
• Never dump fats, oils, or grease down the drain. These are common clog culprits because they cool as they move through the pipes, coating the interior walls, solidifying, and building over time. These items should be disposed of in the trash – if they’re hot from cooking, collect them in an empty jar or coffee can to cool first.
• Don’t dump coffee grounds down the drain or garbage disposal. Since coffee grounds don’t break down in water, they don’t grind up and wash away like other food particles. Instead, they clump together and form a clog over time. Throw old coffee grounds in the trash rather than down the drain.
• Pour hot or boiling water down drains, especially in the kitchen. Not only will this heat up the cold pipes and help loosen any gunk buildup, hot water also makes the natural oils of food products move faster and more easily through the drain. However, use cold water while running the disposal to prevent those oils from liquefying and adhering to the blades.
• Use baking soda and vinegar for a homemade drain cleaner. Store-bought drain cleaners may help clear clogs, but they can also eat away at the pipes themselves. Instead, pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by 1/2 cup of vinegar, and then let it sit for at least 30 minutes before rinsing with a pot of boiling water. Vinegar’s acetic content makes it an organic solvent that will naturally break down buildups in the pipes, and the baking soda absorbs odors to help keep the sink smelling fresh.

Remember that garbage disposals are designed for grinding and draining scraps of food, so large pieces should be scraped into the trash. Try to get dishes as clean as possible before washing to limit the amount of debris getting into your drain. If you experience clogs, backups, or other drainage issues, contact your local drain cleaning pros at Robillard.

We’ve made it through the holidays and into 2021, but there are still plenty of cold days ahead of us here in Minnesota. Use these winter plumbing maintenance reminders to help prevent inconvenient issues and expensive repairs or replacements.

For all your plumbing service and product needs, trust the experienced master plumbers at Robillard. Contact us today to learn more.

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Plumbing Checklist for Winter Trips and Snowbirds

We all know how unbearable Minnesota winters can be, and the bitter cold and harsh weather place extra stress on our plumbing systems as well. If you’re planning an extended getaway this season, use this plumbing checklist for winter trips and snowbirding to help prevent disaster while you’re gone.

Shut Off Main Water Valve and Drain Remaining Water

Flooding and expensive water damage from a burst pipe is typically the biggest concern for homeowners leaving their house vacant in the winter. To prevent this, first locate and shut off the main water valve. Then, turn on all the faucets around the house to drain all water from the pipes. Leave them open until you return home.

Set the Thermostat and Open Cabinets and Closets

Extreme cold is no stranger in our state. Many homeowners try to save money in the winter by lowering the thermostat, but remember that the risk of frozen pipes in exterior walls gets higher as the setting gets lower. If you’ll be gone for an extended period of time, it’s recommended to set the thermostat no lower than 55 degrees.

Additionally, you should open cabinet and closet doors so warm air can reach hidden pipes. If you’re a snowbird leaving the home vacant all season long, consider insulating exposed pipes for additional protection, especially if you decide not to run your HVAC system while you’re away.

Protect Outdoor Plumbing

It can be easy to forget about outdoor plumbing during winter but prepping it for the harsh weather is crucial when you’ll be away. After you disconnect, drain, and store all hoses for the year, close the shut-off valve. This may be separate from the main valve for outdoor spigots, faucets, etc. Drain the lines and leave them open. If you have an outdoor faucet with a back-flow prevention device, make sure it’s disconnected so the water line drains.

Prepare Your Sump Pump

Don’t neglect your sump pump and come home to a wet basement. Clear out any debris in the sump pit to help prevent clogs. Keep the pump plugged in but be sure to remove the discharge hose to prevent freezing during the winter. Make plans with a friend or family member who can reattach it for you should a warm front or rainstorm come through while you’re away (especially if there’s a chance you’ll still be away when the spring thaw begins). As an added safeguard, consider having a battery backup and extra discharge hose handy in case there’s a power outage or other emergency.

Seal Off Your Crawl Space

Crawl spaces typically provide access to electrical, plumbing, ventilation, and gas line hook-ups beneath homes without basements or concrete foundations. Freezing cold winter air enters via open vents and air leaks and increases the risk of frozen pipes, decreases heating efficiency of the home, and rapidly cools the floors above. If you have a crawl space, cover vents with custom-cut cardboard and duct tape and use caulk to seal any leaks you find.

Seal Cracks and Seams on Exterior Walls

Cold outdoor air can also sneak into the home through cracks in the exterior or foundation. Check around your house and seal any potential leaks with caulk to help protect against frozen pipes. Pay extra attention to surfaces near windows and doors. Also, double-check that all windows and doors are shut AND locked to ensure a tight seal.

Ensure Gutters and Drainage Routes are Clear

Make sure water from melted snow or surprise rainfall can be safely guided away from the home. Double-check that your gutters and drain spouts are secure, in good working condition, and clear of clogs and debris.

Make Plans for Monitoring

Once you’ve done all your preparation, don’t just hope everything goes to plan. Consider talking to your local plumber about remote monitoring systems for safety and peace of mind. Notify close friends, family, and neighbors that you’ll be away so they can keep an eye out for any trouble. If you’re comfortable doing so, it’s a good idea to give someone you trust a spare key so they can check on the home, update you regularly, and help in case of an emergency.

‘Tis the season of shorter days, holiday arrangements, and bitter cold. Around here, we know winter can be a mixed bag of good and bad. And for many of us, a getaway to someplace warm gets us through it. Just remember to prepare! Use this plumbing checklist for winter trips to help keep your home protected until you return.

Need help prepping your home for winter? The master plumbers at Robillard Plumbing are here for all your plumbing service and product needs. Contact us to learn more.

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