The cooler weather is on its way. Have you considered what it will do to your pipes? You may be asking how to put your house in order ahead of a hard freeze in the Big Country, or who one makes the call to at an ungodly hour when things go awry.
Since May 2019 Brown Plumbing has been at work fixing plumbing issues here in Abilene and the surrounding area. What was once a one-man show is now a family owned and run business with more than 30 employees and 20 trucks. We are family men you can rely on. For any queries on the tips that follow, pick up the phone at (325) 313-6366.
You want to be ahead of trouble this fall. The West Texas climate can go from a mild afternoon to well below freezing in a few hours and your plumbing will make you feel it. Some forethought today is better than an expensive fix down the road.
Protecting Your Pipes
There is no greater risk in our part of the country come fall than an unprotected pipe in a hard freeze. Freezing water expands and puts enough pressure to split a pipe; by the time it thaws you are looking at a flood.
Take some time before the cold comes:
- Put insulation on any exposed pipes in the attic, garage or crawl space
- Take off garden hoses and let them drain, you do not want water left to freeze in the spigot
- A foam cover or some insulation will do for the outdoor faucets
- Make sure you can find your main shutoff quickly should a pipe give way
- Let the faucet run a little on very cold nights to keep the water in motion
If you are away for the holidays, do not put your home at risk. Have a neighbor look in and leave the heat on low for the interior pipes.
A Word on the Water Heater
It is a harder job for your water heater in the winter and fall. With colder water coming in, the unit has to work overtime for a hot shower or to warm the dishwater. Fall is as good a time as any to see it is in shape.
Sediment will accumulate in the tank and over time reduce efficiency and the life of the unit. Should you hear popping, have rusty water or find the temperature is not what it should be, it is something to investigate. We do water heater repair and replacement all over the Big Country.
Drains and Sewer Lines
With the cooking and company that fall brings, there is extra demand on the drains in the kitchen and bath. Grease is the usual suspect; it is liquid when it goes down but hardens in the pipe as it cools.
Some good practices to observe:
- Do not put cooking grease in the drain, allow it to cool and discard it
- Catch hair and food with a strainer
- Hot water after use will help clear the lines
- Be on the alert for a slow drain, a harbinger of a clog
And tree roots are fond of invading sewer lines, where a minor problem can be a total backup by winter. Gurgling or backing up water is a sign to put us to work on our drain cleaning and sewer line services.
Do Not Overlook a Drip
In the cold a small leak can become a big one. There is also the matter of hidden ones behind a wall or under slab that are wasting water and doing damage. Our leak detection will find the source without putting your home through it. If the situation requires repiping of gas or water lines we are on it.
We Are Here When You Need Us
Our license does not close for the day and neither do we. You can count on an answer from Brown Plumbing 24/7, including weekends and emergencies. We are TX Plumbing License #42853, have an A+ with the BBB and 100 plus Google reviews from the region to vouch for us. Financing is available via First Finance if you wish to pay over time, and we give free estimates.
Call (325) 313-6366 and let our family look after yours.