How Can Cold Weather Make Plumbing Issues Worse?

Cold weather plumbing issues can occur anytime temperatures plunge well below freezing for several hours. Here in northeastern Oklahoma, average nightly temperatures drop below freezing about three months each year. In extreme cases, temperatures as low as 15 degrees below zero have been recorded here. In cold weather, plumbing can be exposed to stresses that damage pipes and connected components. Here are tips to ensure that cold weather plumbing issues are not on the calendar this winter. 

Broken Pipes

Frozen pipes may occur when temperatures drop below 25 degrees for several hours. Ice formation inside pipes expands, exerting pressure that may rupture the pipe. A broken water-supply line can flood a house with hundreds of gallons of water per hour, causing expensive damage. In cold weather, plumbing can be protected from freezing by taking a few preventative measures:

• Insulate exposed pipes. Install slip-on, foam-insulation sleeves on pipes that may be exposed to extreme cold, including in the crawl space under the house and in the attic. 

• Look for gaps, cracks, or other penetrations that allow frigid air to infiltrate exterior walls where water pipes are routed. Seal small openings with expanding insulated foam and cover larger openings with wood or other material. 

• If extremely low temperatures are forecast, open kitchen and bathroom faucets slightly to allow a continuing trickle of water. This releases pressure that damages pipes if ice forms inside plumbing.

• A sudden loss of water pressure at one or more faucets during subfreezing temperatures may indicate damage caused by cold weather plumbing issues. Don’t wait for temperatures to rise; contact a qualified professional plumber immediately.

Water-Heater Issues

A water heater installed in an unheated garage or outdoors is vulnerable to freezing temperatures. Protect against cold weather plumbing damage by installing a water-heater-insulating blanket that wraps around the tank. Also, insulate exposed water inlet and outlet pipes connected to the water heater.

For more information about preventing cold weather plumbing damage this winter, contact the professionals at Air Assurance.

How Can Your Pipes Affect the Temperature of the Water In Your Home?

You may want to draw cold water from your tap but end up with warm or hot water in your glass. Or maybe you could run out of warm water in the middle of your morning shower, forcing you to finish with cold water. These are some of the annoying consequences that you can suffer by ignoring your home's plumbing system. Let's learn more about how your pipes cause inconsistent water-temperature effects.

Leaks

Pipes exposed to extreme temperatures can rupture and leak, leading to inconsistencies in water temperature. For example, in the height of summer, the sweltering heat can make pipes expand and burst. If hot or lukewarm water comes out of your cold-water faucets for several minutes, your water pipes may have started to leak or gain massive pressure.

Faulty Dip Tube

Your conventional water heater has two pipes that extend into it. One short dip tube draws hot water from the tank, while the longer one pushes cold water downward to the bottom of the tank. When the cold-water tube detaches, cracks, develops holes, or becomes corroded, it causes cold water to mix with hot water. This leads to inconsistent temperatures.

Obstructed Pipes

If you have a tankless water heater, mineral deposits like rust, carbonates, and oxides inside your pipes can hamper its ability to deliver hot water. Vermin, nests, and other debris can also block your vent pipes and prevent the heater from operating correctly.

Just like the other systems in your home, your plumbing system requires regular attention. You can avoid the issues above by making sure your plumbing system is inspected regularly and insulated adequately and that your underground pipes are laid deep enough to protect them from extreme temperatures.

For more information on solving these water-temperature effects, contact Air Assurance. With more than 50 years of experience, our master plumbers help homeowners in the Broken Arrow area solve all their plumbing problems. We also offer our customers a Plumbing Service Plan that helps them deal with potential problems early and prevent expensive and inconvenient repairs.

It's Cold Outside! Make Sure Your HVAC System Can Survive the Winter

When it's cold outside, your HVAC system may be subject to some unusual stresses, particularly if part of your heating equipment is located outside, as with a heat pump.

Here are some things to know about winterizing your HVAC system — well, not really, but at least ensuring it survives the winter OK.

Furnaces

Since most of your furnace is located indoors, it's not subject to the rigors of the weather, although simply by using it more during cold spells, it will endure greater wear and tear. That's why it's important to change the air filter regularly and to schedule preventative maintenance. A licensed HVAC tech will be able to identify problems in the early stage before they require major repairs.

Make sure your chimney or flue is in good working order. Have someone inspect it to make sure it's clear of birds' nests and that the parts have not been damaged by summer storms. Also make sure that exhaust pipes are connected and that combustion gases are being properly expelled.

Heat Pumps

Because the condenser component of the heat pump is located outside, you should have it inspected to make sure it's working right before winter is in full swing. The condenser should be in a protected location, preferably where it won't be buried in snow, and away from possible falling limbs and other debris.

As you are aware, the heat pump is designed to go into defrost mode when the temperature drops. But if it runs too long or doesn't come on often enough, it may need a repair. When this defrost feature fails, the heat pump could freeze up and become coated in ice.

Refrigerant lines and electrical wiring run from the outdoor condenser to the indoor air handler. Your HVAC tech should inspect these lines while performing winter maintenance.

If you have the type of heat pump that heats as well as cools, make sure the reverse valve works properly.

For more on winterizing your HVAC system, contact Air Assurance. We serve Broken Arrow and the surrounding area with quality HVAC installations, repairs, and maintenance.

It's Almost Winter: Time for Your Plumbing Checkup

Air Assurance Plumbing - Tulsa, OK

With fall approaching, there's always plenty to do before the really cold weather hits. There's raking leaves, maybe covering up the HVAC condenser and calling for fall maintenance on the furnace. But do you also plan for a fall plumbing checkup? Here's why you should.

Why Your Plumbing Needs a Checkup

In our region, pipes can freeze. When water in pipes freezes, it expands, then thaws with warmer temperatures. Once thawed, the water may leak, flooding your home, damaging floors, walls, ceilings and furnishings. The key to preventing frozen pipes in your home and outside is installing sufficient insulation, and maintaining a temperature of between 50-60 degrees at minimum.

Fall Maintenance Checklist

You as a homeowner can do some tasks to prepare plumbing for fall, while some things may require a plumber.

1. Undo hoses from spigots and check faucets for leaks. Have them fixed before freezing weather arrives. Water trapped in hoses can expand in pipes and burst them. When you've drained the hoses and faucets, cover faucets with an insulated cover to prevent freezing.

2. If you have older sewer lines that tree roots have grown into, have them snaked to ensure water is flowing throughout the winter. If you have newer sewer lines, more than likely you have no cracks and tree roots aren't a problem.

3. Going on vacation? If no one is going to be visiting your home to feed pets or water plants, you may want to turn the water off at the street and drain faucets. Do leave the thermostat between 50-60 degrees. If you don't have a smart thermostat to monitor conditions, ask a neighbor to drop by to make sure the HVAC is working while you're gone.

4. Wrap uninsulated pipes in the attic, in cabinets built into exterior walls or in the basement with extra insulation or heat tape.

5. Have your water heater serviced. Sediment should be flushed out and the thermostat and other elements checked. Water heaters work overtime in the winter.

Need a plumbing checkup? Contact Air Assurance. We serve Broken Arrow and the surrounding community.

January HVAC Maintenance To-Dos

Now that the new year is upon us, it's time to start thinking about January HVAC maintenance that will help improve your household. To help you out, we've compiled some quick tasks that you can add to your to-do list:

Replace the Air Filter

Now that the holidays are over and your guests have returned home, there's a good chance that your air filter has become a bit clogged and needs to be replaced. Some models can be cleaned instead, but the main point is to get an operational filter in your system so that it runs more smoothly. This will save you both energy and money on your monthly utility bill.

Contact an HVAC Technician

January is a great month to hire a qualified technician for the annual HVAC maintenance of your system. He or she will perform a tune-up of the system and pinpoint any problems that currently exist or could be an issue later on down the road. This maintenance will keep the unit running smoothly and efficiently. Plus, it will prolong the system's operational longevity.

Seal Air Leaks in Your Home

Air leaks throughout your home force your HVAC system to work harder in order to maintain a good comfort level. Find these air leaks and get them sealed with either weather stripping, caulk, or spray foam depending on the location and size. Around the edges of your doors and windows are a great place to start, and checking for tears in your home's ductwork is a good idea, too.

Check Your Registers

If you had a bunch of activity in your home over the holidays, there's a good chance that your registers have become blocked by furniture or simply gotten clogged up with dirt or debris. Make sure that the registers are clean and unobstructed to ensure proper airflow throughout your home.

For more expert advice on January HVAC maintenance or any other issues related to home comfort, reach out to the friendly professionals at Air Assurance. We've been serving Broken Arrow and the surrounding area for over 30 years.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.

Winter Vacation: Maintenance Checklist

Whether you’re going to visit family for the holidays or planning on heading to a warmer place to get a break from the cold, it’s important to make sure your HVAC system is prepared. Your heating system should continue running when you’re gone to lower the risk of having your pipes freeze and burst. Ensuring that it’s in good condition is essential in order for it to run properly and safely. Use the following vacation maintenance tips to help you get your HVAC system ready.

Adjust the Thermostat

Turn your thermostat down at least a few degrees before leaving for vacation. You’ll save a bit of money on heating costs while also making sure your home doesn’t get too cold when you’re gone.

Open Air Vents

You might be tempted to close the air vents in certain area in order to save money, but this makes your HVAC system heat your home less efficiently. Go around your home and open every air vent before heading out the door for your trip.

Check the Air Filter

Your HVAC system’s air filter traps pollutants, which helps it run more efficiently and improves your home’s indoor air quality. If your air filter looks dusty or dirty, replace it with a new one before you leave.

Clean Your HVAC System

Your HVAC system should be free of debris, dust and dirt, so it can function properly. When parts of your system are dirty, it can end up breaking down and needing repairs. Your heating system will also have a harder time running efficiently when it has debris inside. Check the burners, pilot and other parts of your HVAC system for debris, and clean them as needed.

Schedule Maintenance

For peace of mind, having a technician come by to perform vacation maintenance on your heating system. A technician can do a thoroughly cleaning and check for problems that might occur and take steps to prevent them from happening when you’re gone.If you need HVAC maintenance or repairs done, please contact Air Assurance. We provide reliable HVAC services for Broken Arrow homeowners.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about maintenance and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273. Credit/Copyright Attribution: “clker-free-vector-images/Pixabay”