Winterize Your Home With These Helpful Plumbing Tips

As winter approaches, the cold weather can put your home’s plumbing system to the test. Freezing temperatures and persistent rain — hallmarks of Seattle winters — can exacerbate existing plumbing issues or create new ones.

From frozen pipes to seasonal wear and tear, the challenges of winter plumbing are many. Not to worry — the team at Bob Oates Plumbing, Sewer & Rooter is here to help you winterize your home!

Drawing on our years of experience serving the residents and business owners throughout the Greater Seattle Area, we’ll walk you through preventive measures and practical solutions to help your home stay warm, comfortable, and problem-free this winter.

By taking the few proactive steps we have outlined below, you can help avoid costly repairs and ensure your plumbing runs smoothly all season.

Let’s get to it!

Frozen Pipes

One of the most common and damaging winter plumbing issues, frozen pipes occur when water expands as it freezes, putting immense pressure on the pipe walls. This can lead to possibility of costly fixes due to blockage, cracked pipes, or worse — burst pipes. When a pipe bursts, the aftermath can be severe: structural damage, mold growth, and extensive cleanup costs.

Seattle’s fluctuating temperatures can cause pipes to freeze and thaw rapidly, increasing the risk of damage. Early signs of frozen pipes include reduced or low water pressure, no water flow, visible frost, bulging sections, or small cracks.

Pipes in walls that aren’t insulated, especially on a home’s north side, or outdoor hose bibs are highly susceptible. Interior pipes in unheated areas like garages, basements, attics, or under-sink cabinets near exterior walls also face increased risk.

Let’s pivot to some preventive steps you can take for both indoor and outdoor pipes.

Protecting Exterior Pipes

Before freezing temperatures arrive, take steps to safeguard exterior plumbing. Drain outdoor pipes and disconnect garden hoses to prevent water from freezing and causing damage. Cover outdoor spigots with insulated faucet covers to shield them from the cold. Additionally, inspect the areas around outdoor pipes for any gaps or holes and seal them to block cold air from reaching vulnerable plumbing.

Safeguarding Interior Pipes

Maintaining a consistent indoor temperature day and night is key to protecting interior plumbing and ensuring other systems, like toilet mechanisms, function properly during colder months. On particularly cold nights, open cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air to circulate around exposed pipes.

Pipes in unheated areas, such as basements or attics, should be insulated with foam insulation to reduce the risk of freezing. If a pipe does freeze, gently thaw it using warm towels or an electric heating pad to prevent further damage.

Special Considerations for Seattle-area Homes

Older homes in Seattle often lack the insulation of newer construction, increasing the risk of frozen pipes. Homeowners should evaluate their plumbing systems based on their home’s age, design, and specific vulnerabilities. As your trusted Seattle plumber, we’re only a phone call away — and that includes free advice!

Bottom line: proactively addressing these risks can prevent costly repairs and ensure a stress-free winter.

Clogged Kitchen Drains During the Holidays

At Bob Oates, we are first and foremost a sewer and drain cleaning company. Let’s cover a few things to be mindful of over the winter months with respect to keeping your drains flowing smoothly.

The Holiday Cooking Challenge and the Role of Cold Weather

Winter and the holidays bring more cooking, baking, and feasting — leading to increased strain on kitchen drains and garbage disposals. Grease, food particles, and improper use of disposals can cause stubborn clogs and disrupt your festivities.

The colder temperatures of winter make grease and fats solidify faster, leading to tougher clogs. Combined with increased use during holiday gatherings, it’s no surprise that winter is the busiest time for drain and sewer backups.

Preventive Tips to Keep Drains Clear

• Scrape Scraps Responsibly: Compost food scraps instead of sending them down the disposal.
• Run Cold Water: Before, during, and after using the disposal to flush waste thoroughly.
• Avoid Grease: Never pour oils or fats down the sink.
• Clean Disposals: Use ice cubes and salt to keep blades sharp and free of buildup.
• Use Natural Cleaning Solutions: Periodically pour baking soda and vinegar down the drain to break up debris.

By staying mindful of what goes down your drains and maintaining regular cleaning, you can prevent clogs and keep your plumbing running smoothly through the holidays and beyond. Also, the pros at Bob Oates are always ready to come out and perform a comprehensive drain inspection as well, pinpointing the source of any problems you may have, and delivering fast, efficient solutions to get your plumbing and sewer pipes working properly once more.

Winterizing Your Home Means Protecting Your Water Heater

During the colder months, water heaters face higher demand as households use more hot water for showers, holiday guests, and heating. Increased water heater use accelerates sediment buildup, reducing efficiency and forcing the system to work harder. Colder incoming water further strains the heater, requiring more time and energy to maintain consistent temperatures.

Malfunctioning components like a faulty thermostat or heating elements can worsen these issues, leading to inconsistent or no hot water. Without timely maintenance and regular upkeep during the winter, these problems may escalate to system failure, and the need for water heater repair or replacement.

Proactive Maintenance for Reliable Hot Water

During the colder months, flushing the tank to remove sediment buildup improves performance and extends the unit’s lifespan. Additionally, inspecting key components, such as the pressure relief valve and heating elements, ensures they are functioning properly and reduces the risk of unexpected breakdowns.

Scheduling annual maintenance with professionals is also a smart investment. The experts at Bob Oates Sewer & Rooter can handle tasks like flushing tanks, decalcifying tankless water heaters, and identifying potential issues before they become costly problems.

With regular care and attention, your water heater will be ready to handle the increased demands of winter, keeping your home warm and comfortable all season long.

Prevent Sump Pump Failures

Sump pumps protect basements from flooding. However, frozen discharge lines can block water flow, overwork the pump, and cause failure, leaving basements vulnerable. Winter storms may also cause power outages, disabling sump pumps without a battery backup.

To keep your sump pump functioning properly throughout the winter, a few preventive moves as a homeowner can make all the difference. Start by inspecting and insulating the discharge line to prevent freezing or blockages, which can disrupt water flow and overwork the pump.

Equipping your sump pump with a backup power system is also essential, especially during winter storms when power outages are more likely. Additionally, performing routine maintenance to remove debris ensures the pump operates smoothly and efficiently, reducing the risk of failure when you need it most.

Wrapping Up: Plumbing Tips to Winterize Your Home

Let’s close out with a straightforward list of steps every homeowner can take:

• Fix Leaks: Inspect and repair leaks early to prevent freezing damage.
• Drip Faucets: Keep a slow drip on freezing days to prevent pipe freezing.
• Open Cabinets: Allow warm air to circulate around under-sink pipes during cold nights.
• Insulate Pipes: Add insulation to pipes in unheated areas to avoid freezing.
• Disconnect Hoses and Cover Faucets: Remove and store hoses; shut off exterior faucets before frost, attach faucet covers.
• Seal Crawl Spaces: Block drafts in crawl spaces, windows, and doors to retain warmth.
• Drain Water Heater: Flush annually to remove sediment and improve efficiency.
• Know Your Main Valve: Locate where the water main valve is to minimize damage in emergencies.

We’ve said it throughout this post, but it bears repeating: Implementing these proactive steps helps keep your plumbing safe all winter long!

Stay Ready for Winter with Bob Oates, Your Trusted Plumbing Expert

Winter in Seattle can be hard on plumbing, but Bob Oates Sewer & Rooter is here to keep your home comfortable and problem-free.

We specialize in tackling Seattle’s winter plumbing challenges with tailored solutions. Our annual maintenance checks and sewer camera inspections proactively address potential issues, keeping your home’s plumbing safe and efficient. During the holiday season, our drain cleaning services are particularly effective at preventing kitchen clogs.

For major concerns like frozen pipes or water main repairs, we employ advanced techniques such as sewer pipe relining and trenchless sewer repair, which provide lasting results while minimizing property disruption. Maintenance isn’t just about fixing problems; it’s about preventing them, ensuring your home stays protected all winter long.

With over 30 years of experience, our family-run business proudly serves Greater Seattle and all surrounding communities with licensed technicians who bring expert care and professionalism to every job.

Give us a call or contact us online today!