After a cold night, do your pipes make odd noises? The prospect of a thaw and a basement to match is enough to give anyone pause. And are you aware of the telltale signs that indicate a minor plumbing matter could become a major repair?
For answers, call Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Eastern Iowa at (319) 318-6165. We are here to be of service in Cedar Rapids and throughout Eastern Iowa, from Waterloo and Davenport to Iowa City and Marion. With our trade experience dating to 1993 we can put your mind at ease. In what follows we will cover the sort of trouble Iowa’s winters have a way of causing so you know when to put in a call.
The Hardship of Freeze-Thaw on Your Pipes
One does not have to look far to see why. An Iowa winter is not a case of the cold setting in and leaving it at that; temperatures can fluctuate in a day. The water in your pipes will freeze, then thaw, and with it comes the expansion and contraction that is hard on any plumbing system.
Ice has the force to burst plastic or crack metal. You may not see the damage until the thaw sets in and the water finds the weakness the ice left behind. One morning a pipe is as good as new, the next it is leaking.
Dealing with Frozen and Burst Pipes
Homeowners are apt to think of frozen pipes first, understandably so. Any pipe in an unheated room or one without proper insulation is vulnerable. You will find them in:
- Uninsulated exterior walls
- Crawl spaces and basements
- A garage or utility room
- Under the sink in the kitchen or bath if it is to an outside wall
- Sprinkler lines and outdoor spigots
A trickle from the faucet on a winter day is often indicative of a frozen line. Should a pipe go and burst it will let water out in a hurry, so prompt action is called for.
Water Heater Strain
Colder water is what enters the home in winter and your water heater has to put in more work. An older unit will show its age with longer recovery times. All too often the heater will quit on you in the depths of winter when hot water is needed. If the temperature is not what it should be or you hear things you do not expect, have it inspected before the unit fails outright.
Sump Pumps and the Thaw
It is easy to overlook your sump pump until you are in need of it. Then the snow and ice melt and the groundwater is up fast. An old or clogged pump, or a frozen discharge line, will see water back up into the basement. We recommend a test run to be sure the pump is doing its job and the discharge is unobstructed; it is a simple way to forestall problems.
Drains and Sewer Lines
Freezing conditions can compound a partial blockage and make for slow drains. Shifting ground can also get to an older sewer line. Be on the lookout for:
- Drains taking their time
- Gurgling in the toilet or sink
- Water in lower fixtures
- More than one slow drain
- Odors from the drain
Winterizing Your Plumbing
There is no stopping the weather in Iowa but you can mitigate the risk with some forethought. Insulate in unheated spots, put the faucets on a drip for a hard freeze, and be certain you can find the main shutoff. Do not forget to put away and drain the outdoor hoses.
If you would like to be in front of any issues, our maintenance membership plan gives you priority scheduling, service discounts and an annual inspection.
Do not put off a call to Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Eastern Iowa when the going gets rough. We have a Master Plumber on staff and are PHCC of Iowa members. We are on hand around the clock with up-front pricing and financing for those bigger jobs. Give us a ring at (319) 318-6165 and we will see you through the season.