This article offers practical tips from your local plumber in Cremorne, Chris Lobb Plumbing, to avoid winter plumbing issues. Apply these tips to guarantee your systems run smoothly through the colder months.

Winter is here and as the temperature drops, residents of Cremorne and surrounding areas need to prepare their homes for the colder weather. One very important thing is to ensure your home’s plumbing system is functioning efficiently. While there’s virtually no risk of pipes freezing in most of Sydney, winter can present other common problems.

Clear your drains and gutters

We’re all aware that leaves fall from trees during autumn. They can clog up your gutters, downpipes and drains. You’ll need to either hire someone or get up on the roof yourself and clear the debris from gutters and the openings to the downpipes. You may even want to flush the downpipes clear with a hose.

Once you’ve done this, examine the ground level drains to determine if they are free of plant matter. If not, scoop out the debris and once again use a hose to flush them clean.

This routine maintenance prevents clogs and potential damage to your home’s guttering and drainage systems.

Check your hot water system

Winter is not a good time of the year to experience issues with your hot water service. Although it doesn’t snow in Cremorne (thankfully), it does get very chilly in winter and the last thing you need is to be forced to suffer cold showers.

During winter it’s a wise idea to have a plumber come and take a look at your hot water system to ensure it’s in good working order. Chris Lobb Plumbing can perform routine hot water system maintenance, as well as make any necessary repairs so you enjoy free-flowing hot water all through winter.

If your hot water system is really old, you might want to consider replacing it, just to be on the safe side, and to ensure you have fast and economical hot water whenever you need it.

Insulate your pipes for warmer water in winter

Although there is very little risk of pipes freezing up during winter in Cremorne and Sydney’s north shore, it’s still a practical idea to insulate your pipes with foam to maintain warmer water in colder weather. Target areas of the home that don’t receive heating, such as basements, garages, under the stairs or even under the house if you have an elevated home. You may be able to attach the insulation yourself but if you’re not confident, then give us a call and we’ll be happy to insulate your pipes for you.

You might also want to consider insulating your hot water pipes too, if they aren’t already insulated. The insulation layer helps keep your hot water hot in winter as the water travels to the kitchen, bathrooms and laundry. You can lose quite a lot of heat through the pipes, so hot water insulation is a good idea.

Check your home for water leaks

You should periodically check for water leaks all throughout the year, but it’s even more important in winter. As temperatures drop, pipes contract, especially metal pipes. If any of the pipes inside or outside your house are old, have sustained damage or have a flaw, this contraction can lead to a crack developing and result in a water leak.

Check under the house, around the yard, beneath sinks and basins, and in and around the hot water system. Take note of any discolouration of the walls or ceiling, as this may indicate a hidden leak. In the yard, check outdoor taps and look for wet patches on the ground or areas of unusually lush grass.

If you do discover any winter water leaks, get in touch with our team and we’ll repair the leak ASAP. Water leaks not only cause damage, but they also jack up the water bill.

Clogged drains and blocked toilets

The nights are longer and the temperature is colder in winter, so people spend more time indoors. This puts your home’s plumbing system under added pressure, as people are using it more often. People also often spend longer in the shower in winter.

This means there is even greater potential for slow and clogged drains, and maybe even a blocked toilet at this time of year. Be careful what you flush down the toilet. Never flush sanitary napkins, nappies, wet wipes, or paper towels down the toilet.

Slow and clogged drains develop from a build-up of oil and food particles in the kitchen, lint in the laundry, and hair and soap scum in bathrooms. If a drain is slow or is blocked, plunge the drain with a quality plunger. Failing this, try using a drain snake to free the blockage. The best way to free a clogged area is to call us in to take care of it.

Schedule a professional plumbing inspection

Chris Lobb Plumbing services are available for all residents in Cremorne and surrounding areas of the Lower North Shore.

Contact us today for a winter plumbing inspection for your home. Give yourself peace of mind that everything is functioning as it should. If you experience any plumbing problems, get in touch and we’ll remedy it as quickly as possible.