How to Avoid a Plumbing Emergency This Winter

Plumbing emergencies are the worst– especially when they’re in the winter. Most plumbing emergencies could have been avoided if the homeowner knew the preventive measures to take. Below are seven ways homeowners can prepare their plumbing for the winter and avoid an emergency.

If you’re experiencing a plumbing emergency, Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Rochester can help! Give us a call, or request a job estimate online. We serve all upstate New York and beyond.

7 Ways to Prevent a Plumbing Disaster

1. Insulate Exposed Pipes

It’s important to insulate any exposed pipes to protect them from freezing. This is something you can do yourself by buying your own materials at the hardware store, but a plumber can do it for you as well.

2. Service Your Water Heater

Service your water heater before winter to ensure it’s working as it should but most importantly, decrease your chances of taking cold showers in the winter! If your water heater is more than 10-12 years old, you might want to consider replacing it before the winter.

3. Inspect Your Water Lines

Have your water lines inspected for leaks or erosion before winter so they can be repaired ahead of time. If leaks are starting and they’re not caught, it will only create larger, more expensive issues if they crack further in the freezing months.

4. Control What Goes Down the Drain

Don't put anything down the drain that shouldn't go there, such as grease, solid objects or food, and anything other than human waste or toilet paper in the toilet. You can also install drain traps to catch larger objects before they go down the drain.

5. Pump the Septic Tank

Having your septic tank pumped before winter is always a good idea. When sewer lines freeze, so does the waste inside. Digging into the solid ground to pump or fix a septic tank is not easy, quick, or cheap. Avoid the issue by pumping your tank in the fall.

6. Drain Unused Pipes

Drain any unused water pipes before winter comes. This includes hoses and sprinklers that won’t be used in the winter. Water left in the lines will freeze and crack whatever it is in.

7. Check the Water Shut-Off Valve

Ensure your water shut-off valve is working in case you need to shut it off. You don’t want to be experiencing a plumbing emergency and be unable to stop the problem because you don’t know where your water shut-off valve is, if it works, or how to shut it off. Watch this video by Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Rochester on how to shut off the water supply to your home.

Prepare for an Uneventful Winter

It may seem like there is a lot to do to prepare your pipes for the winter. However, it can all be taken care of with one simple phone call. Call our team at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Rochester, and we can provide all of the preventative services at once to ensure your home is ready for winter.

Plumbing emergencies are stressful and expensive but avoidable. Don’t wait until the septic pipes crack or the hot water tank dies to call a plumber. Prevent the problem before it even has the chance to become an issue. Call us today!