Spring welcomes some much-needed respite from the harsh Ontario winters. The spring weather thaws the frozen snow, and this is the perfect time for Mississauga homeowners to examine their homes for plumbing issues caused by the winter cycle. The freeze-thaw cycles, heavy snow, and sub-zero temperatures, can cause hidden damage to your plumbing which is difficult to notice.
Instant plumbing damage during the winter is caused by water trapped in uninsulated and external plumbing fixtures and pipes. When the water trapped in the fixtures and pipes freezes, it expands and puts a significant amount of pressure on the plumbing. Then after the thaw, a significant amount of water is used for spring cleaning, cleaning up your yard, and other household demands. The sudden increase in water pressure can cause a winter plumbing issue to become a large plumbing emergency.
Prioritizing preventative maintenance over waiting around to call an emergency plumber mississauga saves you thousands of dollars, protects your structural foundations, and ensures your home runs efficiently all summer long. This guide will help you perform your plumbing maintenance this spring to save money and protect your house’s structural foundation.
Why Spring Plumbing Maintenance Matters
Mississauga’s extreme and rapid winter to spring climate is difficult for residential uninsulated plumbing.
The Damage Caused by Freeze-Thaw Cycles
The volume of water expands by around 9% when it freezes. This expansion applies pressure on the solder and the joints of copper and PEX pipes, potentially causing them to loosen. The walls of the pipes will also thin. While the pressure is released when the water thaws, the pipes and the solder are still damaged and will continue to get worse when the water is turned back on. The weakened solder and joints are likely to rupture when the main water supply is turned on again.
The Increased Demand for Water
During the spring and summer, the daily household water usage increases. This is due to running the lawn sprinklers and washing vehicles or even filling up the swimming pool. The water supply and drainage systems are also under more stress during this time. Having an annual review can catch the early warning signs before they worsen, like slow drainage, leaks, and low water pressure. Catching an issue early ensures you can book routine plumbing services mississauga on your own schedule, rather than dealing with the chaos of a midnight baseline failure.
Internal Pipe Inspection for Leaks
Indoor Inspection Points
Basements and Crawl Spaces: Pipe sections along exterior wall and unheated basement spaces are at highest risk for freezing.
Utility and Laundry Rooms: Inspect pipe and connection behind washing machine and main water shut-off valve.
Under-Sink Cabinetry: Inspect plumbing under kitchen and bathroom vanities.
Signs of Concern
Discoloration and Staining: Darkening and blistering of paint and spots and rings of moisture on ceilings and walls are signs of possible concealed leaks.
Pipe Corrosion: Signs of oxidation on pipes will indicate leaking moisture. Look for oxidation on copper pipes and reddish spots of rust on galvanized steel pipes.
Dampness and Puddling: The presence of moisture on a section of pipe and pooling water along the pipe needs the immediate attention of a qualified plumber in Mississauga.
The Frost Damage Phenomenon
Many homeowners are unaware that standard hose bibs extend about 8 to 14 inches into the heated envelope of the house. If the tap has a frozen water blockage in the line, it can split the pipe right in the middle of the wall. The exterior faucet will look completely normal, but come May, water will pump directly into the finished basement wall or the insulation.
Safely Testing Your Hose Bibs
Locate the outdoor faucet and slowly turn the valve handle.
While the valve handle is turned, place your thumb over the spout to completely block the water flow.
If the flow is stopped and your thumb is maintaining the pressure, it is a good indication that the pipe has split somewhere in the wall.
Inspect the wall that is directly behind the outdoor faucet for any signs of dripping or wet drywall. If there is a suspected rupture in the wall, turn the main water valve off to your home and call a professional. The home can incur significant damage if the water is not stopped.
Check your Sump Pump
As it begins to warm up, it becomes increasingly likely that you will experience heavy rain in the Greater Toronto Area after the snow has melted. This causes water to rise around the foundation of your home. A sump pump protects your home from costly flood damage.
Test the Sump Pump
Use this method for your scheduled sump pump test.
Before testing the pump, the pump basin needs to be cleared. Any debris within the pump needs to also be removed.
Using a 5-gallon bucket, fill the pump basin to test the pump.
Once the water is in the basin, the float that is in the sump pump pit will be triggered. This should activate the pump and the water will be expelled through a discharge pipeline.
Finally, leave the house and ensure that the discharge pipeline is releasing water away from the house.
What to Watch for when a Pump is Failing
There are several warning signs that indicate the failing of a sump pump. If the pump makes grinding or rattling noises, or rapidly cycles on and off, or remains unresponsive after being filled, this needs to be addressed quickly. To avoid home damage that is caused by the floods from the failing of a sump pump, ensure you contact a professional pump repair company or Plumber in Mississauga to have a replacement or repair done.
Periodic Maintenance of Household Drains
Throughout the winter months, household drains collect hair, cooking grease, food particles, and soap scum that dry and coagulate. These obstruct the drains and waste lines and cause them to perform poorly.
Spring Cleaning
Kitchen: Full of organic cooking waste and heavily coated with grease.
Bathroom: Showers and tubs become full of bound soap films and hair.
Basement: Floor drains trap stagnant water, allowing sewer gases to enter the living space. Pour one gallon of water to refill the trap.
Beware of Chemical Cleaners
Leave the chemical cleaner to the professionals. These cleaners create a caustic, exothermic reaction that melts drain lines and creates more issues than a simple drain clog. Use a ziptie, snake, or call for a hydro-jet service.
Water Heater Inspection
Winter means your water heater has to work harder to keep the municipal water heated. This increased usage means more strain and more wear. Be wary of potential issues.
Checking For Structural Damage
Look at the base of the pipes connected to your hot water tank for signs of puddling or leaking rust. Inspect the cold inlet and hot outlet pipes soldered to the top of the tank for signs of leaking rust. Look for white, crumbly deposits, which indicate a slow leak.
The Problem of Buildup
While water is heated, some minerals like calcium and magnesium precipitate and settle to the bottom of the tank. This leads to the formation of an insulating layer of sediment. Hearing loud banging and a popping or rumbling noise during the heating cycle indicates the presence of steam that is bubbling through sediment.
This sediment layer also leads to an increase in your monthly utility costs. Flushing your hot water tank on a regular basis helps mitigate this issue.
Inspecting Toilets For Leaks
“Quick and Easy” Food Coloring Test
The following instructions outline how to see if your toilet tank is slowly leaking water to your bowl.
- Remove the tank lid and add 5-6 drops of dark food coloring into the tank.
- Put the lid back on the tank. Leave the toilet for 20 – 30 minutes. Do not flush the toilet.
- Check to see if the bowl has changed color. If the answer is YES, then you have a leak.
The cause of the leak is most likely the flapper valve. This valve may be warped, worn, or covered in mineral buildup. Replacing a worn flapper is an easy, low-cost solution, and will eliminate the leak.
Look For Signs of a Sewer Line Problem
If your main sewer line has a problem, it can cause serious problems to your home. Homeowners must be vigilant of the following signs, which can indicate a problem in your home sewer line:
Drain issues in multiple rooms. If multiple drains are slow to empty at the same time, the likely cause is a blockage in your main sewer line.
Sewage Smell
Sulfur odors flowing from the drains or basement and lingering in the air is a sign of a broken or breached sewer line.
If flushing your main floor toilet causes water and air in your shower to bubble and gurgle, the waste line is blocked and the flow is obstructed.
Sewer line blockages are frequently caused by tree roots and other nearby plants breaking into old, moisture-conducting, clay or metal line systems. If you notice issues with multiple fixtures, do not rely on temporary do-it-yourself solutions. Instead, call a certified technician to conduct a professional diagnostics camera inspection.
Why Schedule an Professional Plumbing Inspection
While a typical walk-through of a home’s structure and systems can help you identify a lot of the major problems, it cannot identify minor and deep issues like a certified inspection technician.
Scheduling a thorough maintenance visit from the best plumbers in Mississauga protects your property like no other. Licensed professionals utilize advanced technologies to inspect concealed areas with high-definition sewer cameras, advanced acoustic leak detection, and electronic pressure testing tools.
An inspection helps to identify and resolve problems before they worsen, potentially saving thousands in repairs. It will help your appliances last longer and help protect the structural integrity of your home.
Spring is an ideal time to prepare & protect your home from upcoming seasonal plumbing issues. Check off these seasonal plumbing maintenance tasks for full peace of mind.
Indoor Plumbing: Check for condensation & signs of plumbing issues on basements, utility rooms, & cabinet doors.
Outdoor Plumbing: Check for burst outdoor spigot plumbing using thumb pressure.
Sump Pump: Sump pumps should be tested using a 5 gallon water fill with manual cleaning of the sump pump basin. Test the discharge with the auto switch.
Drains: Clean drains of debris. Reset gas traps with water fill.
Water Heater: Corrosion is an indication of the decreased efficiency of your tank. Flush your tank to remove sediment.
Toilets: Silent leaks can be detected using the food coloring test. Replace your flapper to avoid wasting water.
Signs of Root Intrusion: A systemic plumbing issue with abnormal sounds & smells of sewer gas requires professional help.
Call a Professional for these Nightmare Scenarios
Shut off your main valve and call a plumber instead of attempting to fix these root problems yourself.
Burst Pipes: Structural rot & mold are real concerns with burst pipes that are under pressure.
Sewage Backup: An overflow of floor drains is a biological & environmental hazard.
Total Loss of Hot Water: Frequent heating issues could be caused by a faulty electrical heating element, a faulty gas control valve, or a crack in the tank lining.
Flooding in the Basement: Emergency services are required to protect your foundation if your sump pump fails in heavy rain.
Conclusion
Every homeowner in Mississauga, and surrounding areas, needs to complete a full plumbing inspection at the start of spring. Our extreme winters take a toll on plumbing. If you ignore the signs of damage, you could face a plumbing emergency in the summer.
You can save money on your plumbing by checking plumbing pipes, testing outside plumbing, checking your sump pump, and unclogging household drains on a seasonal basis. Seasonal checks reduce the likelihood of an emergency and save money on your plumbing. If you notice a serious problem, contact a Mississauga plumbing company.
