If you live in a house with water pipes, you know how important it is to keep your home safe from extreme weather conditions. But what about when severe weather hits? Suddenly, your water pipes could become the target of inspection by the government or your insurance company. In this post, we’ll take a look at several ways extreme weather can affect your home pipes.
1. Bursting and Leaky Pipes
The water inside your drains and sewers expands when exposed to heat, pushing the walls apart. As the pressure builds, it creates a low-pressure zone that allows any liquid on top of the pipe to leak out into the ground, creating standing puddles. The best way to prevent this problem in Stuart, Florida is to turn off the main valves before a heavy rainstorm. You can then shut the valve even if the power goes out. It also helps to clear gutters and downspouts of debris.
2. Clogged Drains
The humidity in Stuart, Florida can cause a lot of dirt and debris to settle in your drains. This buildup can easily result in clogging. Fortunately, most homeowners in Stuart, Florida have automatic garbage disposals or filters installed in their sinks. These devices automatically remove food bits and hair. However, if your filter takes too long to get rid of all the particles caught in its mesh, you might need to change it.
3. Low Water Pressure
As the air heats up during the summer months, so does the temperature outside your home. Water evaporates quicker, leaving less moisture in the air. Without moist air to hold onto, your taps, toilets, and showers run dry just more quickly. Install aerators on faucets that don’t work to combat this problem because there isn’t enough water pressure flowing through them.
4. Water Pipes Can Become Damaged During Storms and Hurricanes
In some cases, water pipes could be damaged by a hurricane or typhoon – mainly if they are near the ocean or close to a flood area. If you have any concerns about your home’s water pipes or other parts of your home that could be affected by extreme weather conditions, call in an expert at this point. You don’t want to deal with any plumbing issues that could be avoided.
5. Water Pipes Can Freeze When It Snows
Like other parts of our home, water pipes can freeze when the temperatures drop below freezing. While this is rare in Stuart, there can be an occasional winter where it happens. If you live in an area where the temperature dips below freezing occasionally and your water pipes are not insulated, be sure to hire a qualified plumber. We can help protect your water pipes from damage caused by extreme temperatures.
Conclusion
These common problems tend not to happen all at once but rather over several days. In some cases, they may be fixed without replacing anything except a few feet of pipe. Additionally, you might need to replace a line. All of these minor repairs can be done yourself with little expense. Be sure to hire a reputable plumber to help you fix any pipe issue at your place. There are many types of plumbing issues, and each one requires a different solution. Contact Cooke’s Plumbing to learn more.