Northern Utah home and business owners need to start winterizing their plumbing systems this month, so here are some plumbing maintenance tips from our Master Plumbers!
There are plenty of home and business owners throughout Northern Utah that assume they don’t need to make any substantial changes to their property’s plumbing system to accommodate the beginning of the winter season. This is a topic that we tend to discuss on a yearly basis in this part of the country, because this type of common assumption puts countless properties at a serious risk each and every year!
Here in Northern Utah, pipes can freeze rather quickly and water heater repairs are all too common. The most frustrating part about many of these common plumbing repairs is that they’re generally avoidable, and November is the time of year when property owners and managers need to take precautionary plumbing maintenance steps.
Below we’ll be going over some tips to help you winterize your property’s plumbing system!
Easy Plumbing Maintenance Steps To Winterize Your Plumbing System In Northern Utah
Below is a brief list of important steps that home and business owners need to keep in mind as they’re getting ready for the upcoming winter months:
1. Clearing Out Your Property To Improve Drainage
It’s no secret that Northern Utah receives a tremendous amount of snow each winter, and at lower elevations this precipitation can take the form of sleet and ice that can wreck havoc on any property. No one wants to deal with flooding during the early winter months, which is why you’ll need to thoroughly clean out your downspouts and gutters to eliminate any debris clogs.
Proper drainage throughout your property will help you better ensure that your plumbing system doesn’t get overworked or experience any inadvertent basement flooding.
2. Adjust Your Water Heater Accordingly To Accommodate Ensuing Colder Temperatures
If your home has a traditional electric or gas water heater, then it’ll be important that you get your tank thoroughly flushed out so sediment buildup doesn’t get too bad. You should also have one of our plumbing experts take a close look at your anode rod, because you could potentially need a replacement if it has been awhile.
But even if you have a tankless water heater, you’re still going to need to adjust your water heater’s temperature settings to below 125 degrees Fahrenheit. This will help you avoid any unnecessary strains on your plumbing system, and it’ll help you prevent potential scalding.
3. Be Careful Of What’s Going Down Your Garbage Disposal
It’s likely that your household will be doing a decent amount of cooking throughout the holiday season, which is why this time of year tends to be rather hard on your garbage disposal. Replacing your entire unit or impeller blade can be avoided when your household is careful about what goes down the drain.
Some things that should never go down your kitchen sink include the following:
- Heavy starches
- Fats and greases
- Rinds and skins
- Fibrous vegetables
- Coffee grounds
- Seeds and nuts
- Eggshells
- Bones
- And much more…
A good rule of thumb for your household to follow is that if it isn’t light food scraps, then it should be tossed in the trash.
4. Know Where Your Main Water Valve Is Located
Simply knowing the location of you main water valve is another easy winter preparation tip to keep in mind, because this is the part of your plumbing system that will be a lifesaver when you’re in a dire need to prevent flooding. There are so many different types of emergency plumbing situations that frequently occur in Northern Utah, which is why being prepared for these scenarios is useful.
It’s also smart to simply open and close your main water valve a couple times each year just to ensure that it’s fully functional.
5. Protect Your Pipes As Much As Possible
Frozen pipes are all too common in Northern Utah during the winter months, and this just so happens to be one of the most problematic plumbing problems that people experience during this time of year. You should always properly insulate your pipes to help avoid any issues related to colder temperatures.
It’s also important to make sure that your home’s temperature doesn’t dip below 45 degrees when you’re out of town and not using your heating system, because this can actually end up being detrimental for your pipes.
Reach Out To The Master Plumbers At Beehive Plumbing To Learn More About Plumbing Maintenance Tips To Winterize Your Plumbing System!
Beehive Plumbing has supported many residential and commercial properties throughout Northern Utah when it comes to winterizing plumbing systems, and the above tips are just some of the basics that you can likely do on your own to get prepared for the ensuing frigid temperatures.
There truly is so much that our plumbing specialists can do for your property when it comes to winterizing your plumbing system, and you can always reach out to us online or call us at 801-661-8155 to get in touch with our Master Plumbers today and learn more about winterizing your home or business!
