Winter is coming; for some businesses, the festive season is the most profitable. But if you are not adequately prepared, you can lose more than you can gain. Though winters in Benbrook, TX are not as harsh as in other places, you still need to prepare your plumbing for winter.
Frozen water and sanitary pipes can crack and burst, causing extensive damage to equipment and property. You might even have to close your business until the problems are fixed. Below are a few tips from your plumber to help prevent winter plumbing disasters.
Schedule Regular Maintenance
Regular maintenance of plumbing and pipelines is the first step in preventing winter plumbing disasters.
A trained commercial plumber can detect problems like leaks, low pressure, blockages, and corrosion in pipes before they become serious problems.
Check the Heating System
Cold weather means you’ll need to switch from air conditioning to heating. The heating system will likely have some issues after being inactive for an extended period. Have a plumber check the HVAC system before winter to ensure it works properly.
Because carbon monoxide poisoning is more likely during winter, you need to take extra precautions to ensure the furnace functions as it should. Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas in the fumes produced by stoves and furnaces. Around 430 people die each year due to carbon monoxide poisoning.
Regulate the Temperature
To save on energy bills, many businesses will turn off the heating system during winter when the space is not in use.
If the temperature drops too low, pipes can freeze and crack. A simple way to prevent this is to have a smart thermostat that will let you control and monitor the temperature or turn on the heating system when temperatures drop below a certain point.
Protect Indoor Pipes
Frozen pipes can burst, causing significant damage to property and equipment. Lines in exterior walls and crawl spaces are more likely to freeze. Install pipe insulation where possible, or have a plumber install freeze protection valves or heat cables for the pipes.
Look for an automated heat cable system that automatically heats the pipes when it gets too cold. If you have a fire sprinkler system, you must ensure that the water pipes are adequately insulated to prevent them from freezing.
Turn Off Outdoor Faucets
To prevent damage to outdoor pipes and the sprinkler system, turn off all outdoor faucets and shut off valves. Disconnect hoses and drain them. The water in a hose still connected to a tap can freeze and back up into the pipe and cause it to crack.
If draining the irrigation system is too tedious, your plumber in Benbrook, TX can advise you on insulation or antifreeze methods that will help protect the pipes.
Inspect the Water Heater
The water heater is the last thing you’d want to fail during winter. Especially if you have a large commercial property with many businesses and occupants, you need to ensure that the water heaters are in good working condition. Cold water and increased demand put an excessive strain on the water heater.
A licensed plumber must maintain and drain it regularly to prevent it from failing. Depending on where the water heater is placed in the building, you might also need to insulate it and the connected pipes. If the water heater is more than 10 years old, you might want to replace it with an energy-saving one that uses 15 percent less energy than conventional models.
Protect Drains and Sewer Lines
Water lines are not the only pipes you need to look out for. Drains and sewer lines are also affected by cold temperatures. Frozen wastewater can cause blockages and pipes to crack and burst. If that happens, a business might need to shut down until the problem is fixed.
As always, regular inspection and maintenance will help prevent significant problems. A plumber can inspect and clean the drains to ensure no blockages or leaks. The professional might also recommend replacing plastic drains with metal drains.
Plastic wears out faster during harsh weather and is more likely to crack and break due to weight from snow. Insulating outdoor pipes and ensuring they are buried below the freezing line will also help prevent damage caused by cold weather.
Make Sure the Sump Pump Is Working
Due to heavy rains and snow, flooding is more likely during winter. Sump pumps are usually located in the basement, and it is easy to forget they exist until an emergency occurs.
Call a plumber to inspect the sump pump and ensure it’s working properly before winter starts. Also, look for cracks in the walls and foundation, as these are areas where water can leak into the building.
Additional Tips for When a Property Is Not in Use
If a property has been vacant for a while or will not be in use during the holidays, there are additional steps you need to take to protect the building’s plumbing. You will need to shut off the water main and drain all pipes.
Any water left in the pipes can freeze and cause them to crack. If a pipe still freezes and cracks, there will be less damage if the main water line is shut off. Ensure the heating is on to prevent any pipes from freezing, especially in a building that is not in use.
It might sound like a waste of money, but this can prevent water and drain pipes from freezing and save money on costly repairs.
Reach Out to Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth for Quality Plumbing Services
To ensure smooth operations in your business in Benbrook, TX, you need a professional plumber whom you can trust. Our trained and licensed professionals at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth only offer the best services to our satisfied customers. Whatever your plumbing needs, we’ve got you covered. Do not hesitate to call us today.