Most people forget about their plumbing until there is a problem. That’s the problem. Nobody wants to deal with a backed up toilet, burst pipe, or clogged drain, but inevitably, these things do happen – no matter how careful you are. You might not know this but plumbing responds differently to the seasons, which can add to a plumbing headache. At Five Star Plumbing, we find we get calls on the following five problems the most during the winter.
1. Burst/Cracked Pipes
Admittedly in San Antonio, TX, we don’t have to worry too much about frozen pipes, but pipes can still burst in Texas during the winter. If it does get freakishly cold, the water will expand inside the pipe and cause it to burst. We get a lot of moisture during the winter and if your ground isn’t stable, the underground pipes can shift in the wet dirt and crack.
2. Broken Water Heater
Nothing is worse than stepping into the shower first thing in the morning and getting blasted with cold water. You might not miss your hot water heater in the summer too much, but believe us, people really miss it in the winter. If you notice your water isn’t warming up as much as it should or there’s excessive knocking or pinging coming from your hot water heater. Call us.
3. Drain Clogs
Of course, your household drains can clog as easily in the winter as they can in the summer. This plumbing problem knows no season. Nonetheless, the drains tend to clog more in the winter because this is the time you open your home to guests for holiday parties and visits. You also cook more during the winter, which can increase the amount of oil heading down the drains.
4. Septic Tank/System Trouble
The more people using your toilets the fuller your septic tank gets, which is why we often get calls in the winter for septic tank pumps. On average, you should have your tank pumped every three to five years, but if your home turned into Grand Central Station during the holidays, have us give it a once-over. We’ll see how full the tank is and check the rest of the septic system.
5. Water Line Break/Leaks
If your home is on the municipal water system, you have a main line that extends from your home to the street. You’re responsible for this line, and it can leak or break during the winter months. Again, most of the time the line leaks because the water inside froze. Still, if you notice an unusual increase in your water bill or saturated ground outside, you may have a leak.
Five Star Plumbing helps customers in San Antonio, TX. If you have a plumbing issue or emergency, contact us immediately.
