Ask a Portland Plumber: How to Winterize Your Home

Okay, Portland, winter is fast approaching and it’s time to prepare our homes (and ourselves) for temperature changes, and perhaps even more overwhelming, the holidays. How will these two things affect our household plumbing? The reality is quite a bit.

Do Not Get Stuck in the Cold!

Here’s a glance at some of the more popular calls we receive this time of year:

  1. Frozen Pipes: Some Portland homeowners simply forget to winterize their houses or do so improperly. While snow is rare in Portland it’s still best to take measures to avoid frozen or bursting pipes due to freezing. All exterior plumbing (outdoor showers/faucets, irrigation systems, and hoses) must be entirely drained and flushed before the weather cools down.
  2. Failing Sump Pumps: A change in weather calls for checking up on your basement or crawl space sump pump. Sump pumps work to remove excess water from rain, melting snow, or ice away from your home. An improperly working sump pump could result in flooding.
  3. Clogged Toilets: We receive an abundance of clogged toilet calls particularly surrounding the holidays. Overuse from visiting family and friends may tax your toilet system, so we suggest making sure everything is in proper working order before guests arrive! Maybe it’s time for a toilet bowl upgrade? The right upgrade installation will not only prevent future clogs but will also work to reduce energy consumption and save homeowners money on monthly water bills.
  4. Broken Garbage Disposals: We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, please don’t throw a whole turkey down the drain! It may seem as though just about anything can and should be tossed down into the garbage disposal, but just like any other household plumbing fixture or appliance, garbage disposals also need a little TLC. Some of the worst culprits include stringy foods, dairy, foreign objects like toys, grease, and oil. Consider a garbage disposal upgrade and higher horsepower.

Need Help With Plumbing Winterization? Call 3 Mountains Plumbing.

Having one of our professional journeymen plumbers is your best bet in ensuring your home is completely ready for whatever weather winter brings. We have been helping Portland homeowners prepare for winter for over 13 years.

Contact 3 Mountains Plumbing today for a fixture upgrade or to learn more about readying your home for cooler temperatures.

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