Top Tips and Winter Plumbing Advice

Summer has barely drawn its last dying breath but winter is fast approaching, pointing its icy, spindly finger in the direction of your central heating. Many problems can arise in wet, icy and cold conditions, but disasters caused by frozen pipes, broken showers and flooding can be prevented with a few helpful pointers – like these from a trusted North Virginia plumber. He may be young, but he's very experienced and knows the area and its quirks like the back of his hand.

Can you give us some tips on how to deal with clogged drains?

No problem. Declogging a drain is like emptying a tube of Pringles so you can put more useful things inside it. Give your whacked drains a little treat once a week to stop them clogging like arteries full of hair and skin flakes and other bad stuff. Mix 1 cup of salt, 1 cup of baking soda, a quarter cup of cream of tartar and pour down every drain in your house. Follow this with 2 sweet cups of boiling water for each drain and voila! Your drain will be flushed totally clean. It’s safe, environmentally friendly and your drains will love you.

Tell us a little about pipe insulation please

As any suitably accredited North Virginia plumber will tell you, the last thing you want during winter is frozen pipes. Not cool (sweet pun intended). Protect your pipes from Jack Frost by covering them in special insulating tape or foam padding. Any exposed pipes should be kept incubated and warm (like an unhatched egg) with a lamp. Check out the pipe’s progress regularly and remember - unlike a chicken egg, if you spot any cracks in your pipe consult your nearest North Virginia plumber immediately.

What can you tell us about spigots and hoses?

Spigots are old school, that's the first thing! Looking after your spigots and hoses is a simple task, but so easy to forget. Detach all hoses before the onset of winter and roll them up for storage until springtime. Similarly, with spigots and outdoor faucets, make sure they are shut off or disconnected.

Should we beware of holiday cooking?

Well we all have to chow down at Thanksgiving. But grease and oil tends to build up more when the plumbing is colder. First rule of offence is defence. Do your best to refrain from pouring excess down the drain. That also goes for hard-to-grind or stringy objects if you use a disposal shoot.

Spread out showers

It’s might be hard when you've got a houseful of family or flatmates in a rush every morning, but in order to maintain optimal shower power - and to avoid calling on a North Virginia plumber every other day - during the winter months you need a good 10 minutes between each shower. You may also want to slide the dial up to 11 when it’s ice cold. But be careful you don’t burn - don’t exceed 125 degree Fahrenheit.

Eliminate drafts

Check basements, attics, garages, behind your board, and any other exposed spaces that might let in cold air flows. Also check under kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Insulate any pipes in these areas. Fill in spaces where drafts are prominent.

Follow these guidelines and you’ll enjoy a chilled out winter season, perfect for exchanging your surfboards for snowboards!

Sarah Saadoun works for HMS Plumbing, a family-owned business in Manassas, Northern Virginia. If you need a North Virginia plumber, Herve and his dedicated employees at HMS are proud to be serving the plumbing needs of Northern Virginia residents and businesses. For reliable Northern Virginia plumbers HMS Plumbing is your first choice.