Top Tips for Winter

As we officially enter winter, keep these top tips in the mind to help protect your plumbing and save water during the colder months.

Winter is a busy time for plumbers. Extra holiday visitors, extra cooking and colder temperatures can put pressure on your plumbing. To keep things flowing smoothly at your home consider these top tips from your trusted plumbing professionals at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing®:

In the kitchen:

Fats, bones, peels and fibrous foods can clog drains and damage your disposal. Put everything in a container and toss it in the trash instead. Run the water from your kitchen sink before using the disposal and again after using it to help flush the line. Run the water more than just a few seconds.

In the bathroom:

Do not throw anything extra down the toilet and when it comes to hot showers, consider an on-demand recirculating system. This provides instant hot water so you don’t have to waste water waiting for it to get warm. You can also consider a maintenance check for your hot water heater to ensure its operating correctly. A cold shower is no fun in the winter.

Around the house:

If the temperature is expected to get near freezing, cover your exposed pipes to help insulate them from the cold. This includes pipes in your garage. Turn your faucets on so the water drips slowly. This prevents water from settling and freezing in your plumbing lines. When water freezes it expands and can break pipes. If your pipes do freeze, slowly thaw them using a hot, wet, towel or hair dryer. Using a torch or flame can deliver too much heat and cause pipes to expand and break.

No matter the season, if it’s been a while since you’ve had a plumbing inspection call a trusted plumbing professional. They can help identify potential problems before they turn into larger ones. For more seasonal plumbing tips, contact your local Benjamin Franklin Plumbing.

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