4 Winter Emergency Plumbing Situations and How to Prepare

Robin
4 Winter Emergency Plumbing Situations and How to Prepare

While plumbing emergencies can occur at any time of year, they are more likely to occur during the winter. Cold weather and increased hot water demand while guests are visiting might put a strain on your plumbing system.

Here are some neighborly tips on how you can prepare for these everyday emergency plumbing situations. Read on!

1. Pipes Bursting

Bursting pipes are often a result of pipes getting so cold that the water inside them freezes. As a result, an expansion is caused, bursting the pipe open. Other common reasons include damage from poor plumbing design or misuse, incorrect pressure rating for the pipes, or incorrect flow routing.

To prevent bursting pipes due to the cold, confirm that all exposed pipes in your house are correctly insulated. If you find a pipe that does need some additional insulation, one preventative measure is to use insulation foam.

It would help if you also located your main water valve. If any water-related emergency occurs, the damage can be reduced by turning this valve off.

2. Lack of Hot Water

The main thing you can do to prevent losing hot water for an extended period is installing an emergency hot water heater. These work by heating water on a backup tank, which is filled up and kept warm.

If you have a tankless water heater, you might want to consider switching over to the traditional tank type. Tankless water heaters can have problems with scaling, which can result in a dramatic reduction in hot water.

Another option available for tankless water heaters is to use an inline heater, which is an external water heater that works as a substitute for a standard tank. This can be an effective solution to the problem of low hot water supply.

3. Frozen Pipes

When cold temperatures cause pipes to freeze, they do so from the sides or top. The freeze-thaw cycle can loosen connections or break pipes entirely.

Places that usually freeze are the outdoor faucets and the pipes connected to the outside walls. Sometimes the inside plumbing in a home, including the kitchen and bathrooms, will also freeze.

In this case, the simplest way to prevent freezing is to let the water drip in your outdoor faucets. This will help prevent the pipes from freezing.

If your pipes are already frozen, you can thaw them out by running hot water into the pipe. This can also be done by wrapping the pipes in towels to keep them warm.

4. Clogged Sinks

Be prepared for a clogged sink. The first thing to do is to keep a plunger in your kitchen. In case of a clogged sink, you can use the plunger to dislodge the clog before you try to use any chemicals to solve the problem.

If the clog is too bad, the best thing to do is to use a drain snake to unclog the sink. This is an easy process that can save you more time and money than calling a plumber.

If you find yourself with a clogged sink and don’t have a drain snake available, you can also make one with a coat hanger by straightening it out and tying it to the end of a stick.

Conclusion

There are many other things that you can do in your house to prepare for plumbing emergencies. These include keeping an eye on your home’s water pressure, arranging for a yearly checkup of your home’s plumbing system by an expert, and having a plumber on standby for the worst-case scenario. The more you prepare for plumbing emergencies, the more you can save yourself from the hassles of having to deal with it in the middle of winter.

All City Plumbers is a reliable 24-hour plumber in Birmingham, AL. We offer high-quality, all-in-one plumbing services for residential and commercial properties. Contact us today!

How to Keep Hair from Clogging Your Shower Drain

by Youmna Rehman • 29 April 2025
There’s nothing like a relaxing shower to wash away the day—until the water starts pooling around your ankles, and you realize your drain isn’t working the way it should. One of the most common culprits? Hair. Whether it’s long, short, curly, or straight, hair has an uncanny ability to weave itself into your plumbing and cause slow drains, bad smells, or full-on blockages. The good news? You can do a lot to stop hair from becoming a plumbing nightmare. This guide walks you through why hair is such a problem, what it does to your drain over time, and how to tackle it with a mix of smart habits and practical tools. We'll go over causes, risks, step-by-step solutions, and preventive techniques—so you can enjoy your showers without worrying about what’s happening beneath your feet.

Signs You Need Professional Drain Cleaning

29 April 2025
Your home is a system of silent workers—electric wires, insulation, plumbing—all quietly doing their jobs in the background. And like any system, plumbing needs attention when it starts signaling distress. Often, we overlook early drain issues, brushing them off with store-bought cleaners or half-hearted plunges. But ignoring repeated signs can lead to bigger, messier, and far more expensive problems. This guide walks you through the subtle and not-so-subtle signs that it’s time to call in a professional. We'll look at what causes the clogs, how to deal with them step-by-step, and what you can do to prevent drain disasters down the road. Because sometimes, a slow drain is more than just a slow drain—it’s your home warning you.

Why Your Shower Drain Keeps Clogging and How to Stop It

by Youmna Rehman • 29 April 2025
Few things are more frustrating than stepping into a refreshing shower only to find your feet quickly submerged in rising water. A clogged shower drain can turn your relaxing routine into a soggy mess and often seems to happen at the worst possible time. But here’s the truth—most shower drain blockages are completely preventable. The challenge lies in understanding what causes them, how to fix them properly, and, most importantly, how to stop them from happening again.

The Pros and Cons of Chemical Drain Cleaners

by Youmna Rehman • 25 April 2025
Few things disrupt your daily flow like a clogged drain. Whether it’s the kitchen sink filling up with greasy water or a bathroom drain refusing to clear, the temptation to grab a bottle of chemical drain cleaner and pour your problems away is very real. After all, it’s quick, cheap, and readily available. But before you twist the cap and pour, it's worth pausing for a deeper look.

How to Prevent Recurring Clogs in Your Drains

by Youmna Rehman • 25 April 2025
Recurring drain clogs aren’t just annoying—they’re a sign that something deeper might be wrong. In this guide, we’ll take a deep dive into the common culprits behind chronic clogs, walk through practical solutions you can use today, explore the risks of ignoring the issue, and share proven expert strategies to help you prevent clogs from coming back. Let’s unclog the mystery once and for all.

Maintenance Tips for an Expansion Tank

by Youmna Rehman • 25 April 2025
It’s easy to overlook your expansion tank—until something goes wrong. Nestled quietly above or beside your boiler or water heater, it might not seem like the most vital part of your system. But in truth, the expansion tank plays a crucial role in keeping pressure levels safe and your entire heating or plumbing system running smoothly. When it’s neglected, you might end up with problems that range from annoying to downright dangerous.

Benefits of Having an Expansion Tank Installed in Your Home

by Youmna Rehman • 23 April 2025
Plumbing might not be the flashiest part of homeownership, but it sure plays a starring role in your day-to-day comfort. You turn on the tap, flush the toilet, take a hot shower—and it all just works. Or at least, it should. Behind the scenes, however, your water heater is constantly adjusting to temperature changes, and when that pressure builds up, it needs somewhere to go. That’s where an expansion tank comes in. Not the most talked-about upgrade, but absolutely one of the smartest ones you can make. Let’s dive into what expansion tanks do, why they matter, and how they protect your home (and wallet) from some seriously sneaky damage.

FAQS About Plumbing

by Youmna Rehman • 23 April 2025
Let’s face it—plumbing is one of those things we only think about when something goes wrong. And when it does? You’re suddenly drowning (sometimes literally) in questions. From odd gurgling noises to DIY repairs, plumbing mysteries can make even the most confident homeowner feel clueless. This guide answers the top 15 most searched plumbing questions, the kind people are constantly Googling under the “People Also Ask” section. Whether you're a homeowner, renter, or curious mind, these answers will help you stay prepared, avoid expensive mistakes, and know when to call in a pro.

Four Ways to Handle a Broken Sewage Pipe

by Youmna Rehman • 23 April 2025
There’s nothing quite like the panic that hits when you suspect—or worse, know—you’ve got a broken sewage pipe. Whether it’s a slow, foul-smelling leak under the house or a sudden backyard swamp that wasn’t there yesterday, broken sewage lines can escalate from gross inconvenience to full-blown health hazard in no time. The key to avoiding disaster? Acting quickly, smartly, and with a clear understanding of what you’re dealing with.

What You Need to Know About Garbage Disposals

by Youmna Rehman • 23 April 2025
Leftovers pile up, food scraps linger, and the trash bin starts to smell a little too familiar. But there’s one unsung hero in your kitchen that can make cleanup smoother, faster, and more hygienic: the garbage disposal. If you've ever wondered how it works, whether it's worth installing, or how to keep it running like a champ, you’re in the right place.
More posts