Frozen pipes are a homeowner’s worst nightmare in the winter.

The risks include expensive and extensive plumbing repairs and damaged walls and ceilings. So what do you do when your pipes freeze in the winter?

Before we get to that, let’s look at the signs that indicate your pipes are frozen.

Signs Your Pipes are Frozen

If you experience any of the following, your pipes could be frozen:

Damp drywall or ceiling
Limited water coming through the pipes
Gurgling sounds when pipes are running
Smelly water
Bulging pipes

What Should I Do?

There are a few simple steps you can take to ensure your frozen pipes don’t damage your home:

Shut off your water source. Find your main water supply source and shut it off.
Try to find the frozen pipe. If possible, see if you can find it.
Check for leaks around the pipe. Determining the pipe’s condition can help you know what to do next.
Try to thaw it. Using a portable heater, heating cable, electric heating pad, or hairdryer can help thaw your pipes.
Contact a plumber. If the pipe is leaking, heavily damaged, or unable to thaw it, then having a professional plumber review and fix it is your best course of action.

How to Prevent Frozen Pipes

The best way to prevent your pipes from freezing is to keep them at a temperature above zero. Here is how you can do it effectively:

Insulate the pipes – Purchasing specifically designed pipe insulation made from fibreglass, polyethylene or foam. These can help protect your pipes from any cold throughout the winter.
Use heating tape – Similar to pipe insulation, applying heating tape to pipes can help them retain heat.
Cover crawl spaces and gaps – Ensuring that gaps are closed will stop any cold air flowing into and onto your pipes, reducing the chances it will freeze.
Let your faucet and pipes – It might seem strange, but letting the water run through your pipes will help it during winter. The small amount of friction and heat produced by water can keep your pipes from freezing.
Keep your thermostat consistent – Keeping your home nice and toasty will ensure that the pipes remain at a decent temperature.
Close the windows and doors – Ensuring that no cold enters your home will help protect your pipes from getting exposed to extreme colds.

Preventing frozen pipes is the best way to protect your home, avoiding emergency plumbing situations and costly repairs. If you do suspect that you have a frozen pipe, it’s best to contact a Calgary plumber as soon as possible!

Calgary Plumber and Drains is your number one team of Calgary plumbers! Our success has been built on values such as honesty, hard work, affordable prices and superior customer service. We pride ourselves on offering clients throughout Downtown and surrounding areas with top-quality plumbing services, including leak repairs, installations, sewer and drain cleaning, toilet repairs, and water heater repairs in Calgary. As an emergency plumber in Calgary, we’re available when you’re in dire straits! For the number one plumbing company in Calgary, contact Calgary Plumber and Drains at 403-629-2920.

Do you notice that there is a smell coming from your sink? Or is your drain not draining as it should be? Are drains backing up all over the house? If you are noticing any of these signs, you most likely have a sewer backup.

And this is a big problem.

It means you’ll risk water damage in your home, floods, sewage coming back into your home, damaging it, and exposing you and your family to harmful bacteria and germs. Therefore, it’s important to fix a sewer backup when it occurs.

But why does it happen? Knowing what causes sewer backups can help you prevent a hazardous situation while being proactive can risk the situation occurring in the first place.

Here is why sewer backups occur, how to prevent them and what to do if you have one.

Causes of Sewer Backups

Below are the main causes of sewer backups:

Clogs can occur when there is a build-up of waste in pipes, leading to a backup in the sewer line. This can include tree roots that have grown into sewer lines.
Heavy rainfall can also cause sewer lines to flood and go back up pipes.
Damaged or aged sewer lines can break down and crack, causing sewage backups and flooded households.
Blockages in city sanitary mains or inside the main plumbing system can result in backups.

How to Prevent Sewer Backups

You can prevent the outbreaks of sewer backups by following these tips:

Don’t pour cooking oil or grease down the drain.
If you have a clogged drain, it’s best to get professional drain cleaning services immediately than letting it continue to build up.
Don’t dispose of garbage or waste down the drain; make sure you correctly dispose of paper towels and waste in the trash.
Install a backwater prevention valve. This unique fixture allows sewage to leave your home through the drains, but if the water starts to flow backwards (a sign of a blockage), then the flap on the valve will activate and stop it.
Ensure you get frequent plumbing and sewage pump maintenance. Having a professional inspect your plumbing system and sewer lines means they can proactively stop any problems from occurring.

(What is a plumbing emergency? And does a sewer backup constitute one? Read our blog to find out!)

Call a Plumber Immediately

If you are experiencing a sewer backup, there is only one solution to your problem: calling an emergency plumber in Calgary.

Only a professional plumber with expertise and knowledge in sewer lines and plumbing systems can help you with this major problem. They will inspect your sewer line (through CCTV) to determine its condition and if you need repairs or replacement. If the damage is extensive, you might require renovations.

Before they arrive, there are some things you can do to mitigate the damage:

Evacuate and turn off the electrical power in the flooded area
Shut off the valve for the main water line of your home. If you are in an apartment building, speak to your landlord or property manager.
Don’t use the water supply system at all until the problem is fixed.
Stay away from the sewage water and if you wish to get closer to it, wear protection masks, eyeglasses, rubber boots and gloves before doing so
Open up doors and windows to allow ventilation through the house.
Contact your municipal authority or sewer department if your home is connected to a public sewer and if there is a problem.
Contact your insurance to confirm if you have coverage from sewer damage or not.

The quicker you act when you suspect a backup, the less damage there will be in your home. With sewer backups, don’t take the risk – take action as soon as possible!

It is not always clear when you should call an emergency plumber in Calgary. When water is flooding in your home, it’s pretty obvious that you need a professional plumber to help you. Other times, you could have a situation on your hands but don’t know it yet.

It’s always better to be prepared in an emergency, which is why we discuss the situations when you should contact an emergency plumber.

When to Call an Emergency Plumber

Flooding & Sewer Back Ups

We touched on it above, and we’re focusing on it now: rushing, flooding water is the definitive sign of an emergency plumbing situation. The damage that your house can face when it is under flooding can affect the foundation, the ceilings, walls and even the roof. It’s paramount that you speak to a professional Calgary plumber immediately if your home is experiencing a flood.

If your home is experiencing water or sewage backing up from your household drainage. It is best to call a professional plumber to address the root cause of the backup before irreversible damage is done to your home.

Burst, Leaking or Frozen Pipes

Pipes are the “lifeblood” of your plumbing system; if there are any problems, you have to act fast to prevent further issues. The three most notable factors that can impact your pipes’ quality include if they’re leaking, bursting or frozen.

A leaking pipe is a clear sign that if you don’t make quick plumbing repairs, it can get worse. A bursting pipe is the result of a prolonged leaking pipe. If water saturates drywall or flooring, it can cause irreversible damage, so you must act quickly and call an emergency plumber.

As for a frozen pipe, this is something that must be dealt with immediately, particularly during Calgary’s harsh winters. As the water turns to ice, the pipe can burst due to the expansion, leading to blockages in your system or flooding.

Overflowing Toilet

A clogged toilet is one problem that can be handled without minimal fuss. An overflowing toilet is another issue altogether. The last thing you want is to find your bathroom flooded with toilet leftovers and sewage smells. It can be damaging to your home but also your quality of life and overall health. If you suspect that your toilet is overflowing, call our expert Calgary emergency plumbers now!

(If you want to learn more about the most common plumbing problems in your household, read our post here)

Hot Water Tank Issues

Due to a hot water tank’s finer details, you can experience issues that can spiral out of control very quickly. Problems such as sediment buildup, pilot light and thermostat issues, or natural wear and tear can stop your system from functioning and even cause leaks.

That means no hot water for your home and a potential flood in your hands – in one of the most complex parts of your home. Bringing on board a specialist can help you navigate any water heater repairs. In some cases, if the damage is too severe, you might have to replace the unit.

Don’t Wait Around – Contact Our Calgary Emergency Plumbers

If you have a plumbing emergency on your hands or suspect one might be occurring, then contact our emergency plumbers immediately. You can risk damaging your home if you do not act fast. Call our experts today when you need us!