Banging pipes, weak pressure, frozen lines in the middle of January. Your plumbing gives you warnings before it fails, and most people ignore them until something bursts. Here's what the common warning signs actually mean.
Why do my pipes bang when I turn off the tap?
That's called water hammer. When you shut a tap fast, the water slamming to a stop sends a shockwave through the pipes. Over time it loosens pipe straps and can even damage fittings. It's common in older homes where the pipes aren't secured well or there's no air chamber or hammer arrestor installed. It's not just annoying, left alone, it can cause leaks at joints and even crack fittings over time. The fix depends on your setup: sometimes it's as simple as securing loose pipes, sometimes we install arrestors near the problem fixtures. Either way, don't ignore it. What starts as an annoying bang turns into a callback for a leak behind a wall, and that's a much bigger bill.
Why is my water pressure so low all of a sudden?
If it's one fixture, it's probably a clogged aerator or a shutoff valve that's not fully open, easy fix. If it's the whole house, that's different. Could be a failing pressure regulator, mineral buildup in old galvanized pipes, or a partially closed main valve. Around Barrie I also see this when the municipal supply has issues, so check with a neighbour first, if they're fine, it's your plumbing. Don't just crank up the regulator to compensate; too much pressure blows out appliance hoses and toilet fill valves. Normal is 40 to 60 PSI. I'll test it and find the real cause.
How do I keep my pipes from freezing this winter?
Keep the heat on, even if you're away, don't drop it below 15 degrees. Pipes in exterior walls, crawl spaces, and garages are the ones that freeze. Open the cabinet doors under sinks on outside walls so warm air gets in. Let a tap drip slightly on the coldest nights; moving water freezes slower. Disconnect your garden hoses before the first freeze, I get calls every spring from burst hose bibs. If a pipe does freeze, shut the water off and call someone. Don't take a torch to it. Prevention is cheap; a burst pipe flooding your basement is not.
Listen to what your pipes are telling you. A bang, a pressure drop, or a cold snap without preparation, these are all cheap to deal with early and expensive to deal with late. Call me and I'll take a look.
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