With the cold months on the horizon, is your home in order? You might want to consider what your pipes will do come the first hard freeze. Or put your mind at ease by knowing how to spot a plumbing issue before it means a basement full of water.
For those with a home in Lower Bucks County, now is the time to get some answers while the weather holds. We are NexGen Plumbing & Drains and we put the plumbing in good working order for our customers in Levittown, Newtown, Yardley, Langhorne and environs no matter the season. A phone call to (267) 802-2349 will have one of us take a professional look at your system well before winter sets in.
In between the summer and the onset of freezing temperatures there is a lull. It is an ideal period to put an end to minor problems that would be exacerbated by the cold. Here you will find the kind of advice we give our neighbors.
Protecting Your Pipes
There is no more costly or frequent emergency in these parts than a frozen pipe. The expansion of water under pressure can split a pipe asunder; when it thaws you are left with a leak. To stave off such trouble we put forward the following:
- Make sure all outdoor garden hoses are drained and put away ahead of the first frost
- If the home is set up for it, cut off the supply to any exterior spigots
- Put insulation on pipes left exposed in a garage, crawl space or unheated basement
- Close up any cracks or gaps that let in the cold
- Do not let the temperature in the house fluctuate if you are away
- During a severe cold spell a dripping faucet will do to ease the pressure
It is a small thing to do but it will keep you from a burst pipe and the repair bill that goes with it.
The Water Heater
You can expect more of your water heater in the fall and winter given the cold water coming in and the greater need for hot. Sediment will have accumulated in the tank making it work less efficiently and not last as long; a flush of the tank is in order. Should you be hearing odd noises or getting rusty water, or the temperature is not what it should be, it is preferable to deal with it then wait for a January morning to do so.
Drains and the Holiday Season
Kitchens are bound to be busier in the fall with all the holiday cooking and get togethers. The drain will be put to use with grease and food scraps. What was a sluggish drain in October could be clogged for Thanksgiving.
We suggest you adopt these practices to maintain flow:
- No oil or cooking grease in the drain
- Scrape plates into the trash
- Cold water only when the garbage disposal is running
- Leave fibrous items like potato peels and celery out of the disposal
- Put a strainer in place to catch debris
If you are hearing gurgling or the drains are slow, a professional cleaning will prevent a mess down the line. We can also do a video sewer inspection to see for ourselves what is going on in your lines.
A Check for Leaks
An overall checkup is prudent in the fall. That faint stain on the ceiling or drip from under the sink may be indicative of something more. Early detection is the way to avoid the cost of repairs and any mold or water damage.
We have a leak detection service that will locate a problem without having to make a wreck of the house. In the case of an older property with pipes that have seen better days, we can discuss repiping or trenchless options to relieve the stress on the system when winter comes.
What makes homeowners of this county pick NexGen Plumbing & Drains?
We are a family concern run by Milt and Jen Warrell with Thomas Warrell at the helm. Our plumbers have in excess of 35 years of experience among them even though the company is of more recent vintage (est. 2025). We are licensed (#067806) and insured and we do plumbing, nothing else, so we know it.
We provide honest estimates for our residential and commercial clients, and they are free of charge.
Rather than let a fall nuisance turn into a winter crisis, get in touch with us. We are at (267) 802-2349 from 8 to 5 Monday to Friday to put your mind at ease for the colder times ahead.
