According to the Maryland government, the average winter temperature is hardly above freezing at 34.1 degrees Fahrenheit. The state averages 20.6 inches in snowfall per year, a bit less than the national average at 28.2 inches.
Due to these harsh conditions, plumbing problems arise in homes across Maryland. Check out the climate breakdown from Warner Service in Frederick:
Did you know that your home’s water line can leak or break due to frozen water? Below-freezing temperatures cause water to freeze mid-flow through your home’s pipes. This can lead to a burst pipe or leaking water line. Also, septic tanks are more likely to burst when the dirt is frozen and snow is on the ground.
If you live in a location with hard water, sediment buildup in the water heater tank causes rust to develop. This rust is harder to get rid of during the winter.
Because of this, your family deals with contaminated drinking, bathing, and cooking water for months. These plumbing problems are a direct cause of winter’s harsh conditions. Sudden temperature drops, snowfall, hail, and other weather-related problems leave your home’s plumbing in a tough position.
Despite the forceful and inevitable Maryland winter, you can prevent these plumbing problems. Use the following precautionary measures from the experts at Warner Service in Frederick:
Lower the temperature of the water heater. When the water heater is first installed, plumbers turn its temperature to around 170 degrees Fahrenheit just in case. Yet, many homes don’t need that much steam and pressure.
This winter, turn down the water heater between 120 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. This prevents a burst or leak and reduces heating costs between 6 to 10 percent. Tip: To be more eco-friendly, contact an expert during the warmer months about installing a tankless water heater or going solar.
Insulate pipes. After doing this, you pay less for hot water, and it’s less likely that the pipes will freeze. During the insulation process, look in the basement, crawl spaces, attic, garage, and under kitchen and bathroom counters. These spaces may have unheated water supply lines. Both hot and cold lines in these areas need insulation to maintain higher temperatures.
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