Winter is approaching, are your pipes ready?

One thing that many people forget about is the age of their pipes and how having freezing pipes can cause increased risk of serious damage to your home’s infrastructure and can cause multiple issues. Here are some plumbing tips to consider as winter approaches.

How old is your water heater?
Did you know the average water heater lifespan is only 10 years? Check your water heater for the install date or the date of production to make sure you are not far beyond 10 years, this can decrease the risk of plumbing issues throughout the home. Another alternative if you discover your water heater is older than 10 years old is to switch to a tank-less water heater. We can help with this.

Galvanized Pipes vs Copper Pipes
Having galvanized pipes have an increased risk of corrosion and rusting out. When rust occurs and builds up inside the pipes you will notice decreased water pressure and your water flow can be compromised from the corrosion and build up. If these pipes clog your risk of a pipe burst increases, especially in winter. Switching to copper pipes will greatly reduce the risk of larger problems that can occur and will increase the value of your home.

The ol’ Kitchen Sink
Another way to decrease plumbing issues is to make sure your kitchen piping is clear of all clogs and always discard grease and oil in the garbage once it cools, not down the disposal. These items can chunk up and in the winter can freeze which will cause a backup or possible pipe burst. Also setting the temperature of your house to at least 50 degrees will help your kitchen pipes reduce the risk of bursting. Call us today and we can come out to fix any of these issues and make sure you are ready for the approaching winter months.