When the weather outside gets cold, we run the risk in the midwest of having our pipes freeze. In fact, burst pipes are one of the most common causes of property damage during cold weather and can cause thousands of dollars in damage. 

Pipes most at risk are those in unheated interior spaces like attics, basements, and garages, but other pipes can freeze as well. There is good new though! THere are simple things you can do to prevent those pipes from freezing and we're here to tell you about them:

Keep Your Garage Door Closed! If you have water supply lines in the garage, keep your garage door closed when it's not in use.

Open Up Kitchen and Bathroom Cabinet Doors. If you are worried about indoor pipes freezing, help the air in the home circulate by opening up your cabinet doors. This works well especially if your sinks share an exterior wall. If you have small children or pets in the home, be sure to remove objects or chemicals that may cause harm before doing so. 

Set Your Thermostat to the Same Temperature. Keeping  your thermostat at a consistent temperature during the day and night can help save your pipes. During a cold spell, be sure to keep it consistent as well! 

Keep the Heat on if You Plan to Be Away. Planning a vacation during the winter months? Be sure to keep your heat on no lower than 55 degrees. 

Consider Adding Insulation for Long Term Results! If your worried about pipes freezing over the years, consider adding insulation to your basement, crawl space, or attic. You can also consider options to heat your garage. 

Of course, these aren't your only options for preventing your pipes from freezing, but we're confident this is a good place to start. If you have questions, don't hesitate to ask. 

We don’t have to tell you that winter can be brutal here in Minnesota. This year seems to be no different than the last. We face some very chilly days, and due to that constant cold, we’re also often facing some pretty disastrous plumbing malfunctions! Here are five of the most common plumbing issues, and our recommendation on how to handle them! Surprise, you’re going to have to make a call to your favorite plumber.

• Water Heater Failure: After a long night of shoveling the driveway, or even just to wake you up in the morning, there’s no solace quite like the inside of your steamy hot shower. It’s a nice respite from the cold, so when your source of hot water goes out you’re going to notice. Your water heater works much harder in the winter to keep the internal water at a proper temperature, so make sure you regularly maintain this important piece of your home. Water heaters typically last about ten years, so if it’s been longer than that, it might be time to consider a replacement.
• Clogged drains: The holidays are more than just a strain on your mental health, they also put a huge strain on your homes drain system. Between the forever long showers your nephew takes and the grease grandma accidentally poured down the drain, your piping is seeing one havoc after another, and needs someone to pay attention! If you’re expecting visitors this year, it may be a good idea to have your drains cleared prior. If you’re seeing any lag in draining, call us today!
• Frozen Pipes: As soon as the weather gets cold, get your plumbing systems checked out. Even the tiniest exposed surface area can cause issues for your pipes, and with our cold winters this is an extremely common occurrence. Some people even choose to face the higher water bill and keep a constant drip of water flowing to ensure regular movement. If your plumbing seems to be frozen in any way, immediately turn off your water and call a professional. We’re here to help.
•  Water Line Leak: No matter which way you look at the words “water line leak” it’s bad news. Older pipes are naturally more prone to developing holes or splitting. The most common way this happens is when a water line freezes and splits the pipe. Ensure that you’re taking care of your water line during the rest of the year, and have it looked at prior to a frozen winter. The sooner you spot a leak, the less damage will be done to your home!
•  Burst Septic Tank: This doesn’t apply to every household, but it does certainly cause one of the most unfortunate issues we’ve faced in the winter. When it gets very cold out, you can experience the line from the house to the septic frozen, and worse yet, sometimes the tank itself can burst. This requires immediate attention, so thankfully we know a guy! Make sure to have your septic cleaned out prior to the winter months to avoid this disaster!

    There are plenty of other winter plumbing nightmares we could fill your brain with, but for the meantime, we will leave you with these five headaches. It is our goal to make sure your home is running efficiently. So, keep us in mind if you have any issues arise, this winter, and the winters to follow!