Due to the volatile nature of Chicago’s weather (especially winters), homeowners in Indian Head Park, IL, face specific types of plumbing issues in their homes. Beyond Property Management notes that these problems are primarily due to the adverse effects of sub-zero winter temperatures on exposed or uninsulated pipes in the home.
Common trouble spots where the likelihood of these winter problems is highest are the unheated areas of the home (basements, attics, and garages), outdoor plumbing fixtures (faucets, hoses, and sump pump discharge lines), and plumbing pipes along the exterior walls of the building.
But these winter-related problems are not the only plumbing issues that homes in Indian Head Park, IL suffer from. Below, we discuss five of the most common plumbing problems that can happen in your Indian Head Park, IL home and what you can do to prevent them.
Top 5 plumbing issues in Indian Head park Homes and how to prevent them
These problems result from harsh winter temperatures, misuse of the plumbing by the home’s occupants, hard water, and normal plumbing wear and tear.
Leaking faucets and pipes
Leaking pipes and dripping faucets not only lead to higher water bills, but depending on the location, they can cause significant damage to walls, flooring, and insulation. These problems are mostly due to aging and normal wear and tear, but they can be accelerated by hard water and the presence of older pipe materials in the plumbing (such as galvanized or cast-iron pipe).
The best way to prevent leaks is to have your plumbing inspected on a schedule by a professional plumber in Indian Head Park, IL. This will let you catch problems early. As a follow-up to these inspections, any problems that are uncovered during the inspection should be addressed immediately. This means replacing degraded parts such as washers, joints, O-rings, etc.
Clogged drains
Your drains can become slow or completely blocked through the buildup of debris inside the pipes. The most common reason for this problem is when a home’s residents dump the wrong materials into the drainage system. If there are outdated piping materials such as galvanized steel and clay in the system, it can also encourage clogs and blockages.
The best step for preventing this problem is to avoid dumping items such as grease, fats, oils, fibrous or starchy foods, coffee grounds, eggshells, and so-called flushable items into the drains. Installing strainers on drain openings also helps. Also, plan for periodic sewer camera inspections to get a detailed report of the condition of your drainage pipes.
Frozen and burst pipes or damaged outdoor lines
The root cause of this problem is failing to take adequate steps to prepare the home’s plumbing for winter. Preventing the problem involves taking the right measures to ensure that plumbing fixtures in the vulnerable areas of the home are properly protected.
As the first sign of winter, disconnect outdoor hoses from faucets and drain the hoses before storing them. Leave outdoor faucets open after closing the shut-off valve inside the home. Protect pipes along the exterior walls of the home and in unheated spaces inside the house by insulating them. Always leave cabinet doors open to let warm air circulate to the water pipes in those locations.
Low water pressure
Low water pressure is a common problem in areas with hard water. The main cause of the problem is sediment buildup within the water pipes or a failed pressure regulator. If the problem affects only a specific fixture, it could be due to clogged aerators. Depending on the cause of the problem, fixing the issue can be easy or difficult.
If it is caused by the buildup of debris within the water pipes due to hard water or aging pipes, the only lasting solutions are to replace the water pipes and install a water softener in your home. However, if the cause is a faulty pressure regulator or clogged aerator, cleaning the aerator or replacing the regulator will fix the issue.
Water heater problems
Hard water can lead to frequent water heater issues in your home because hard water accelerates wear and tear in water heaters and also increases the rate of mineral buildup inside the tank or on the heat exchangers. These problems reduce the efficiency of your water heater, making the appliance more vulnerable to failure.
To prevent this problem, inspect the anode rod on a schedule. Flush the tank at least once a year to remove the sediments inside it. If yours is a tankless water heater, have a professional Indian Head Park, IL plumber descale its internal components. Once again, installing a water softener in your home will protect your plumbing from hard water.
Finally, to solve these problems, it is not enough to understand the causes and potential solutions to the issues. You also need the know-how of a reliable Indian Head Park emergency plumber to help you handle potential emergency plumbing issues in your home.
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Need some assistance with a plumbing issue in your Indian Head Park, IL home? We can help! Contact us today at 708-801-6530.
