subject: Keep Your Home Plumbing In Order To Avoid Calling A Pro [print this page] If you live in Northern Virginia, plumbers may often need be called out to help you with problems around the house. Plumbing issues can crop up out of nowhere, and before you know it your kitchen is flooded and your sink is completely blocked. However, there are a few things that you can do to keep your household in good order to avoid having to call out a professional in the first place.
1. Protect Your Pipes from the Cold
One of the most common problems to occur in the home in winter is when pipes freeze and burst. If this happens to you, you will have to take rapid action to prevent the problem from becoming worse. A burst pipe can cause a large leak that can lead to significant damage in your home, and the repair costs can be pretty serious.
To prevent this problem from occurring, it is important to take a few precautions. If the weather is particularly cold, one thing that you can do is to leave your heating on a low setting overnight. This will prevent the water from freezing, thereby preventing the pipes from bursting. Another thing that you can do is to invest in good insulation for your pipes. Good insulation can go a long way to preventing frozen pipes during the winter in Northern Virginia. Plumbers can always be called if things go wrong, but it is best to prevent the problem from occurring in the first place.
2. Avoid Blockages
Sometimes blockages in the drains can be so serious that you cannot fix them yourself, and if you live in Northern Virginia, plumbers may have to be called on to help you to clear the blockage and allow you to use your sink or bath once again. However, blockages can often be prevented. If you are in the habit of tipping oil down the sink, stop right now. Oil congeals when it cools down, and this can cause significant problems if the oil builds up too much. Also, avoid putting food down the drains and instead throw as much food as you can into the trash. Food can cause serious blockages when it builds up, so this is an easy way to prevent the problem from occurring.
Keep Your Home in Order
If you experience problems with your pipes or drains while living in the cold climate of Northern Virginia, plumbers can always be called out to help you to solve the problem. However, it is always better to prevent problems from occurring in the first place by taking a few simple preventative measures; you could end up saving yourself a lot of money and hassle by following the simple tips above.