What is the worst season for plumbing problems

Plumbing troubles are an inevitable event that will happen to all homeowners, where troubles can cause costly repairs. During some weather events, most plumbing systems will become even more vulnerable to damages that can wreak havoc on a property, culminating in the burning question: what season are plumbing problems most prominent?

Determine what season you should be wearier about when it comes to your plumbing system, what you can do to prevent severe damages, and when it’s time to call plumbing companies in Calgary to get the repairs you need during the months your plumbing is most susceptible to damage.

Rainy season

Typically, in most areas within North America, plumbers will receive the most inquiries and repair requests between September and December. More so, urgent repairs are usually needed in the aftermath of any substantial holiday, such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. Calls for plumbers can also be extended into the spring months of March and April, depending on the climate and the rainy weather that can emerge.

Why fall and winter

The fall and winter are the seasons where plumbing issues are most likely to strike an unassuming household. During September and December, the climate will begin to change and cool down from the sweltering heat of the summer. When the temperatures drop, pipes become more liable to freeze and burst, even if the temperatures only shift by a minuscule amount. Seasons like September are often when large amounts of rainfall can overwhelm plumbing systems and damage them. So, when the season inevitably gets colder or wetter when the summer is ushered out, and autumn emerges, be on alert, as these types of weather events will negatively affect the functions of your plumbing systems.

Person in protective orange gloves unblocking a clogged sink with plunger or rubber pump. Close-up, selective focus.

Prevention

Although you cannot stop the seasons from changing and damaging your plumbing, preventative measures can be taken. In fact, there are numerous methods that can be implemented before the weather gets colder to protect your plumbing system. You can ensure that the pipes in your home are insulated and properly functioning before the temperature begins to shift and have your pipes meticulously inspected by professional plumbing companies in Calgary to ensure there is no prior damage from the previous winter. Without focusing on your pipes before the colder months set in, your pipes will freeze, weaken, and be more likely to deteriorate. Your pipes are also more likely to become damaged if you fill your sink with food scraps, grease, or fat, which will inflict significant damage. More so, keep a steady temperature within your home to maintain the insulation in your pipes and walls.

Conclusion

Any time the temperature substantially cools down, you can expect your plumbing system to begin to shift in functionality. Because of this, the worst season for plumbing mishaps is often when the summer weather begins to transition to autumn and then winter. Of course, your holidays can be free of plumbing problems when you undertake preventative measures, such as getting your system inspected by a professional.

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.

Nothing is more worrying than turning on your hot water and hearing their pipes vibrate. All Calgary plumbers can affirm that choosing to ignore the sound of vibrating hot water pipes should be addressed.

By getting to the root of the issue, you can effectively figure out what is required to fix them.

After all, it’s better to be safe than sorry!

What Causes the Vibrating & Noise?

There are a few reasons your pipes will vibrate and make a noise when they’re turned on. Firstly, it can come from loose pipes, where the supports that keep them up are loosened. Another is hydraulic shock (water hammer). It happens when there is an immediate increase in water pressure, triggered by the speed or direction of water in pipes suddenly changing. Alternatively, it can simply be from temperature fluctuations. Lastly, it could potentially be the air in your pipes which is the problem.

Understanding the Issue & Fixing It

Once you have identified the reason for the sound, it’s good to know what each one can do to your plumbing. Having that knowledge is instrumental in understanding what certain measures are needed to fix it.

Hydraulic Shock

If you hear vibrating noise from your pipes, regardless of whether you have turned the hot water on or off, the likely culprit is hydraulic shock (water hammer). It poses a problem by causing your pipes to rupture or even collapse. The common solution is to install a pressure-reducing valve so that it can counteract those effects.

Loosened Pipes

When your pipes aren’t properly supported, the water that runs through them can hit whatever is near them. In this case, it’s important to understand which specific pipes aren’t well supported by seeing if they have any loose clamps. If the clamps are accessible, they need tightening to keep them secure. Yet, it might not always be easy. If pipes are behind the walls, call a plumber. They can effectively find the right pipe that needs repairing.

Temperature Changes

Have you ever been spooked by a sudden unexplained noise and assumed it was a ghost? If so, you probably heard someone say in response, “It’s just the pipes!” Unlike supernatural horror movies, the sound does come from pipes! The creepy sound is usually from a person running hot water that causes the pipes to expand and rub anything nearby. You can fix this by lowering the temperature on your water heater or having your pipes insulated.

Air in Pipes

You may be asking yourself: “How can air get into pipes?” Air enters the system when the water supply is cut for too long. You can fix this issue by running faucets or flushing toilets. However, if the air is trapped for too long, it can lead to corrosion and rust forming in pipes. If you can’t fix it through running water, it’s best to call in an expert to pinpoint the problem and repair it.

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.

Most folks might not know a sump pump until their basement is ankle-deep in cold water suddenly. It’s a scenario that many Calgary plumbers know all too well since a damaged sump pump can quickly turn into a plumbing emergency. Knowing what a sump pump is and how it works can better understand any issues that might arise in the future and deal with them accordingly.

What is a Sump Pump?

In 1946, the sump pump was invented by U.S. Navy electrician Karl Niedermeyer to help prevent large amounts of water from collecting under a house’s foundation. It became a mandatory inclusion for homes after the late 80s since it helps prevent groundwater intrusion by removing water accumulated in the sump basin. Typically the collected water from the sump basin comes from storms or when the groundwater level is above your basement floor – hence why you can find a sump pump in the basement.

How Does a Sump Pump Function?

First, where can you find a sump pump in your basement? You can find a sump pump by knowing where the sump basin is located – usually in a corner or against an outside wall. Once you find it, you will see many holes in your sump basin wall, all of which connect to a drain pipe. Depending on your home, some drain pipes will come from weeping tile pipes outside the bottom of your home’s foundation, while others connect to interior drainage systems under your basement floor.

When groundwater collects and flows into a drain pipe into your sump basin, the sump pump kicks into gear when it reaches a certain level. Depending on your sump pump, it activates in one of two ways: a pressure sensor or a float activator arm. The pressure sensor sends a signal to your pump when water pressure exceeds a certain level. A float activator arm uses an attached buoyant ball that floats on the water’s surface, where the sump pump is activated when the water level reaches a certain height.

Once the sump pump gets into gear, an impeller inside your pump draws water out of the sump basin and sends it up a discharge pipe. You can expect the discharge pipe to empty far from your home’s foundation.

How to Maintain a Sump Pump?

Maintenance is important. If you have issues with your sump pump, it can become a bigger issue. A faulty sump pump can result in terrible water damage like flooding, warped wood, cause rot, and lead to mold growth that can be expensive to cover the costs on.

Some factors that indicate a damaged sump pump:

Strange noises
Visible rust
Vibrates too much when running
Infrequent pump usage
Running too much
Irregular cycling
Older than seven years
Motor stuck or motor failure

For maintenance, it’s recommended to get a sump pump regularly inspected every three to four months, with a more in-depth one to be done annually by a plumber.

As professional plumbers continue to learn more about their field, advancements are made to enhance the safety and security of your home. This can be great news for those purchasing new builds, but for those living in homes thirty years old or older, you may not be seeing the benefits of these discoveries just yet.

Polybutylene piping, also known as Poly B, was the industry standard in the 80s and 90s, often hailed as the solution for all future plumbing. However, since installation, home and business owners have been experiencing water leakages and burst pipes.

Fortunately, a new player is in town: PEX piping. So let’s explore the differences between the two styles of piping and why you should turn to a plumbing company in Calgary today and make the switch!

The Downfall of Poly B and the Rise of PEX

Despite its promising start, poly B has been found to be unreliable, primarily due to two main factors.

The first is that there is a potential for a compromise in the structure before the piping is even installed. UV rays can actually break down the molecular bonds of poly B, meaning that any contact with sunlight prior to installation can be detrimental. The more sun it’s exposed to, the more likely it is that a leak will occur.

The second is that poly B does not react well to chlorine. The piping tends to deteriorate more quickly when dealing with water with higher chlorine concentrations, such as public pools.

The Advantages of PEX Piping

Flexibility

PEX is able to bend into a wide-radius turn if space permits, or utilize elbow joints in tighter spaces. Its flexibility is also a benefit when it comes to impact. Since the piping is able to expand and contract with more ease, it can handle extra pressure and hold up to freezing temperatures.

Resistant To Chemicals

As mentioned above, Poly B is negatively affected by chemicals such as chlorine. PEX, however, does not respond to chemicals, thus ensuring that the liquids it’s carrying do not impact its ability to perform and last.

Reliability

Naturally, the main goal with your plumbing is to have it work properly. Leaking pipes can lead to water damage and create a financial burden that no one wants to deal with. PEX has been used for over 40 years, proving that plumbers trust this piping to do the job well.

Aversion To Corrosion

Water or soil will not corrode PEX piping, regardless of its age.

Environmentally Friendly

PEX is actually the only piping out there that is considered to be environmentally friendly. During production, the mining of ore is not required to complete the fabrication of this product, nor is chlorine added. Additionally, once installed, heat loss and condensation are reduced, with hot water being efficiently delivered through the pipes. With PEX lasting for decades, you decrease the number of replacement parts that end up in the landfill.

If you’re looking for piping you can count on, consider replacing your poly B with PEX. If you are unsure of what kind of piping you have, always feel free to reach out to a plumbing company in Calgary for help and guidance!