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Schedule An Appointment As the charming city of Bellevue, Washington, gets colder as we enter into January, it’s crucial to prepare your home for the colder temperatures. While we bundle up and enjoy the cozy vibes, our plumbing systems can become susceptible to problems due to freezing temperatures. Today we’ll take a look at common winter plumbing issues that specifically impact your HVAC equipment and provide solutions and preventative tips to ensure your home stays warm and comfortable throughout the season or during our colder years.
Common Winter Plumbing Problems Affecting Your HVAC System in Bellevue
- Frozen Condensate Drain Lines:
Your HVAC system, including your furnace and air conditioner, generates condensate (water) as a byproduct of the cooling process. This condensate is typically drained away through a condensate drain line. During the winter, if this drain line freezes, it can lead to a backup of condensate, causing water damage to your furnace or air conditioner, or even overflowing and causing water damage to your surrounding basement or crawlspace.
- Ice Buildup on the Outdoor Unit
When the outdoor temperatures plummet, ice can build up on the outdoor unit of your heat pump or air conditioner. This ice buildup can restrict airflow, reducing the efficiency of your system and potentially causing it to malfunction. This will be more common for homes in the mountains or in freezing climate regions near Bellevue!
- Burst Pipes Due to Lack of Insulation
Pipes located in unheated areas of your home, such as crawlspaces, attics, or near exterior walls, are more susceptible to freezing and bursting during cold snaps. Burst pipes can cause significant water damage to your home and require extensive repairs. You’ll see this be an issue with older homes or homes with malfunctioning thermostats in order to prevent this from happening.
Preventative Tips to Avoid Winter Plumbing Problems in Bellevue
- Insulate Exposed Pipes:
Take the time to properly insulate any exposed pipes in your home, particularly those located in crawlspaces, attics, or near exterior walls. Pipe insulation is readily available at most hardware stores and comes in various forms, such as foam sleeves or fiberglass wraps.
- Disconnect and Drain Outdoor Hose Bibs
Before the first frost arrives, disconnect your garden hoses from your outdoor hose bibs and drain any remaining water from the hose and hose bib itself. This will help prevent the hose bib from freezing and potentially bursting.
- Schedule Regular HVAC Maintenance
A qualified HVAC technician can perform a thorough inspection of your system, including the condensate drain line, to ensure it’s functioning properly and clear any potential blockages. Regular maintenance can help identify and address minor issues before they become major problems.
- Keep the Thermostat Set at a Consistent Temperature
Maintaining a consistent indoor temperature, even when you’re away from home, helps to prevent pipes from freezing. It’s generally recommended to keep the thermostat set no lower than 55°F during the winter months.
- Consider a Heat Trace Cable
For pipes that are particularly prone to freezing, even with insulation, you can install a heat trace cable. This cable wraps around the pipe and emits low-level heat to help prevent freezing.
By following these preventative tips and solutions, you can avoid common winter plumbing problems and ensure your HVAC system in Bellevue functions efficiently throughout the cold season. Remember, if you encounter a plumbing issue that you cannot resolve yourself, don’t hesitate to contact a licensed plumber in the Bellevue area for professional assistance, or if you need maintenance done on your outdoor HVAC equipment, we can check it over to make sure you’re all set for the colder temperatures to come.