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Thawing Wisdom- A Guide for Edmonton Homeowners With Frozen Pipes

Chill in the air, frost on the windows, and a surprise – frozen pipes! The Northern lights and winter in Edmonton may be amazing, but when your home’s plumbing starts to play its own icy symphony, it’s time to take action. Do you have a game plan? Do you know how to thaw frozen pipes? Let’s thaw out the mystery together and navigate the chilly waters of home plumbing solutions!

Common Signs of Frozen Pipes

The first step in tackling frozen pipes is recognizing the signs. Recognizing the subtle cues that hint at plumbing troubles is crucial for timely intervention and avoiding potential damage. Here are some common signs of frozen pipes in Edmonton that homeowners should be on the lookout for:

Reduced Water Flow: One of the early signs is a noticeable decrease in water flow from faucets and showerheads. If you suddenly experience weaker water pressure, it could be an indication of frozen pipes.

Strange Noises: Gurgling or clanking sounds coming from the plumbing system can be a signal of trapped air due to frozen pipes. Pay attention to any unusual noises when using water fixtures.

Frost on Exposed Pipes: Inspect visible pipes, especially in areas like basements, crawl spaces, or garages. Frost on the exterior of pipes is a clear sign that they are exposed to freezing temperatures.

Unpleasant Odors: Frozen pipes can sometimes lead to blockages, causing water to back up. This can result in unpleasant smells emanating from drains or faucets due to trapped debris.

Difficulty in Flushing Toilets: If you notice difficulty in flushing toilets or slow drainage in sinks and tubs, it could be an indication of frozen pipes affecting the wastewater flow.

Visible Condensation: Condensation on the exterior of pipes may seem counterintuitive in freezing temperatures, but it can occur when the interior of the pipe is frozen, and the exterior is exposed to warmer air.

Water Temperature Fluctuations: Inconsistent water temperatures, particularly water coming out much colder than usual, can be a sign that pipes are frozen and restricting the flow of hot water.

Peculiar Smells from Faucets: If water from faucets has a strange or different odor, it could be a result of stagnant water due to frozen pipes impeding normal water flow.

Keeping an eye out for these signs can help homeowners identify and address frozen pipes before they lead to more significant issues. If you spot any of these indicators, taking prompt action is crucial to prevent further damage.

How to Detect and Find Frozen Pipes in Your House

Locating exposed pipes in key areas, using a pipe thermometer for temperature assessment, and checking for bulging or frost on the exterior are effective ways to detect and find frozen pipes in your house. Small sections of pipe will thaw fairly quickly, but if you have a larger area or multiple pipes, you may need to call a plumber.

Thawing Frozen Pipes

Prompt action is crucial. Locate the main water supply and turn it off. Open faucets to relieve the pressure, and use a safe heat source for thawing. Waiting for pipes to thaw on their own may lead to further complications. Follow these easy steps to thaw frozen pipes.

1. Identify the Frozen Section

Begin by determining which section of the pipe is frozen. This may be evident from reduced water flow, frost on the exterior, or by following the exposed pipes in colder areas of your home.

2. Turn Off the Water Supply

Locate and turn off the main water supply to prevent further water from entering the frozen pipe. This minimizes the risk of burst pipes when thawing begins.

3. Open Faucets

Open the affected faucets both hot and cold to allow water to flow through the pipes once thawing begins. This relieves pressure in the system.

4. Apply Heat Safely

Safely apply heat to the frozen section. Use a hairdryer, heat lamp, or electric heating pad. Start from the end nearest the faucet and move towards the blockage. Never use an open flame.

5. Use Warm Towels

Wrap warm towels around the frozen pipe. Soak the towels in hot water and replace them as needed. This provides consistent heat to the pipe.

6. Utilize a Space Heater

If the frozen pipe is accessible and there’s enough space, use a space heater to gently warm the area. Keep it a safe distance from flammable materials.

7. Thawing with Hot Water

Carefully pour hot water over rags wrapped around the frozen pipe. Continue until the ice inside the pipe has melted and water flows freely.

8. Check for Thawing

Periodically check the faucets for water flow as you apply heat. Once the water starts flowing steadily, the pipe is thawed. Keep the faucets open for a few minutes to ensure complete thawing.

9. Insulate Pipes

After thawing, consider insulating pipes in vulnerable areas to prevent future freezing. This is especially important for pipes in basements, crawl spaces, and exterior walls.

10. Seek Professional Help if Needed

If you’re unable to locate the frozen section or if the situation is beyond your control, it’s advisable to call a professional plumber for assistance.

Remember, safety is paramount during this process. Avoid using excessive heat, open flames, or tools that can damage the pipes. Thawing should be a gradual process to minimize the risk of pipe bursting.

FAQ

Will Frozen Pipes Thaw on Their Own?

Understanding why waiting might not be the best option and the risks associated with allowing pipes to thaw naturally. While it’s tempting to hope that frozen pipes will thaw as temperatures rise, it’s not a guaranteed solution. The severity of the freeze, the length of exposure, and the insulation around the pipes all play crucial roles in determining whether pipes will naturally thaw.

How Long Can Pipes Be Frozen Before They Bust?

The duration that pipes can remain frozen before the risk of bursting depends on several factors. The severity of the freeze is a crucial factor. In extremely cold temperatures, pipes are more susceptible to freezing quickly. Warmer freezes may allow pipes to withstand the cold for a longer duration.

What Do Plumbers Do to Unfreeze Pipes?

Plumbers employ a range of professional techniques to efficiently and safely unfreeze pipes. We begin by assessing the extent of the frozen pipes and identifying the location of the blockage. Advanced tools, such as infrared thermometers, may be used to pinpoint the frozen pipe.

Methods used frequently include a heat gun, heated blankets, and other devices that heat metal slowly to prevent the pipe from breaking as it thaws out.

Winter plumbing challenges are a part of life in Edmonton, but armed with the right knowledge, you can thaw out the inconvenience. Whether it’s detecting the subtle signs or understanding the do’s and don’ts of thawing, our guide has you covered. Embrace the winter wonderland without letting it freeze your pipes!

Always Plumbing and Heating is a premier plumbing and heating company serving the Edmonton area. If you need help with frozen pipes, we’re just a call away. We’ll use our knowledge and expertise to solve all of your plumbing or heating needs.

How to Clean & Replace Your HRV Filter

Ahh, who doesn’t love breathing fresh air in their home? A heat recovery ventilator (HRV) system can make a world of difference in creating a balanced and energy-efficient space. As with any appliance, it’s important to maintain and clean your HRV system to ensure it’s running at its best.

What Is a Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) System?

Because we spend most of our time inside, the importance of having a well-ventilated home can’t be understated. Since the 1970s, houses have become much more airtight, with strong insulation, vapour barriers, and caulking becoming standard.

Although this means homes have become more thermally efficient, it also means that stale air can linger inside! Moisture and chemicals can build up, breeding mould, bacteria, mildew, dust, and pollutants—all of which can negatively impact your health.

Thankfully, a heat recovery ventilator (HRV) system cycles out the stale and moist air in your home, and then replaces it with filtered and fresh air from the outdoors. This creates balanced ventilation throughout every room.

At the same time, an HRV system uses the stale air inside to warm up the outdoor air coming inside. In the winter months especially, we can close windows and doors with peace of mind, knowing fresh air is being cycled in without sacrificing any heat.

How to Clean Your HRV Filter

If you already have an HRV system, keeping it clean and well-maintained is a crucial aspect of owning one. Here are the steps you need to follow:

Be sure to turn off your HRV system and unplug it.
Open the door by unclipping the fasteners.
Remove the HRV filters by sliding them out from the middle of the unit.
If the HRV filters are really dirty, vacuum out excess dust and grime.
Wash the HRV filters in soap and warm water.
Let them dry and reinsert them when they’re ready.
Now, you can safely plug in and turn on the HRV system.

How to Clean the Filter Core of Your HRV

Sometimes, dirt and debris can build up in the HRV’s filter core. If this is the case, you can also remove it and clean it.

Usually, HRV filter cores have sidetracks that you can slide out. Pull those out first.
Now, you should gently and easily be able to pull the mechanism out.
After that, you can wash the HRV filter core in soap and warm water.
Once it’s dry, place it back in the machine, along with the sidetracks.

How Often Should You Clean & Service Your HRV?

It’s recommended that you clean your HRV filters once every two months. This will allow you to remove any dust and grime that collects over time.

When Should You Replace Your HRV Filter?

You should change your HRV filters out once or twice a year. If they’re still mucky and dark after a good washing, that’s a sign that you should put new ones in.

How Long Does an HRV System Last?

Typically, HRV systems work for 10 to 15 years. After that, the technology has reached the end of its lifespan and it’s time to look for a newer model.

Give the HVAC Experts a Call

At Always Plumbing & Heating, we’re obsessed with making your home as comfortable as possible. If you need to maintain or install an HRV system, book an appointment with us today. Our HVAC experts will assess your home, talk about your needs, and perform the right solution for you.

More HRV System Resources

Tips for a Healthy Winter IAQ

How to Clean a Smelly Garbage Disposal

Do you have a stench in your sink? Blech! It happens to everyone, and the good news is there are some simple steps to eliminating the stink and preventing it in the future. Here’s how to make your garbage disposal smell as fresh as a daisy once again.

Scrub What You Can See

The first step in de-stinking your garbage disposal is to clean the visible sections. We recommend squirting dish soap onto a scrub brush or dish wand, and putting some muscle into it! Small food particles can get stuck in the grooves of the rim, and tough scrubbing can loosen up a lot of crud.

Let Your Garbage Disposal Soak

Once you’ve taken care of the outside, it’s time to focus on what’s happening inside the garbage disposal. Put in the plug, and half-fill the sink basin with water. We recommend adding some dish soap, vinegar, or your favourite natural cleaner.

When you unplug the sink, turn the garbage disposal on, so the soapy water works its way through all the little areas that may not always get cleaned.

Use Ice and Salt

The first two steps can do a lot to deodorize your garbage disposal. But, if you still need a little more oomph, the combination of ice and salt works wonders. Pour a cup of ice cubes and a half-cup of rock or kosher salt into the garbage disposal. Turn it on, and let the blades crush the ice and salt, cleaning any residue left on the metal.

It’s not the quietest step of the process, but it does the trick!

Prevent Future Garbage Disposal Smells

Remember making volcanoes in elementary school science class? The combination of baking soda and vinegar can be a wonderful deodorizer for your sink, too! Sprinkle a cup of baking soda into the garbage disposal, followed by a half-cup of vinegar. It will fizz and get into the nooks and crannies of the machine. Let it sit for an hour, and then turn on the garbage disposal and run cool water through it for at least a minute.

The next time you eat an orange or use a lemon in the kitchen, toss the peels into the disposal, and let them grind up. The natural citrus scent releases and naturally deodorizes, while the acid breaks down anything left behind in the disposal.

For preventative maintenance, we recommend an enzymatic drain cleaner like BioSmart. Non-corrosive and environmentally friendly, BioSmart reduces odours by breaking down lingering bacteria in your pipes. It also keeps your drains flowing smoothly and prevents clogs. BioSmart can be used once per month for optimal performance.

Ask the Experts

If you’ve gone through all these steps and are still dealing with stubborn smells, then it’s time to call one of our top-notch plumbers. We’ll do an assessment, identify what the issue is, and then explain the process and cost of repair. If something in your garbage disposal needs to be replaced, we’ll give you a variety of options before proceeding. Let’s take your sink from stinky to sparkling clean! Contact us today.

How to Keep Your Drains Clear of Hair and other Buildup

Clogged drains are a common household problem. Knowing how to keep your drains clear will keep your pipes healthy and reduce your need to call a plumber for sluggish drains or water backup.

Follow these tips to limit what you put in your drains

Do not put food, coffee grounds, or grease down your kitchen drains.
Pour grease into a container and dispose of it in the trash.
Cover your tub and shower drains with a mesh screen or perforated hair catcher. This will collect hair and let the water run through.
Brush your hair before you shower, to remove loose hair and reduce the amount going down the drain.
Don’t flush anything down your toilet other than toilet paper and human waste. Paper towels, feminine products, dental floss, and disposable wipes should go in your trash bin.
Read our guide on 15 things you should never put in your garbage disposal.

Try these tips to remove clogs before you call a plumber

Remove the drain stopper, clean it, then reassemble it.
Use a plunger to form a seal, push in and pull out, forcing water to move in the pipes. If the clog is in a sink, run a couple of inches of water before using the plunger.
Clean your P-trap. This is the U-shaped pipe under your kitchen and bathroom sinks. Place a bucket under it to catch water and debris before opening your P-trap.
Do not use chemical drain cleaners! These will just loosen up the debris and push it further down in your home’s plumbing and may cause more problems including burst pipes and sewer backup. They are also highly corrosive and can seriously damage your pipes.

Maintain your homes plumbing by manually cleaning your drain stopper once per week to remove hair and debris. Use a biodegradable and non-corrosive drain cleaner once per month to keep your drains clean. We recommend using Bio-Smart, which you can purchase from Always Plumbing & Heating and use yourself for preventive maintenance. Preventing clogs before they occur is the best way to keep your drains clear year-round.

Getting Your Home Ready for Winter

Ensuring that your home is protected against the frigid winter weather will help avoid structural damage and keep utilities in check. The professionals at Always Plumbing & Heating are experts in fall maintenance and have advised hundreds of Edmonton homeowners on simple, essential procedures they can perform on their own. Follow the checklist below and enjoy a safe and worry-free winter!

Interior Maintenance

1. Assess attic insulation. Keep your heating costs in check and make sure you have adequate insulation in your attic. You should have at least 12 inches of insulation to maximize heat retention.

2. Replace your furnace filter. To ensure your furnace runs smoothly and efficiently all winter long, you need to change your filter to ensure it is free of dust and debris. A dirty filter will make your furnace work harder and drive up your energy bills. You should change your filter at least every 3 months, but in the winter you should check it more frequently and change it if it is dirty.

3. Check your weather stripping. To reduce heat loss, replace torn or worn weather stripping around your doors and windows.

Exterior Maintenance

1. Winterize your hose bibs. Water left in your hose bibs can cause the pipes to freeze, crack, and lead to a subsequent flood in your basement. Read how to winterize your hose bibs.

2. Clean your gutters. Once the trees lose their leaves this fall, your gutters are likely to become clogged with debris. Prepare for fall rain and winter snow by removing the leaves from your gutters. This will ensure they are able to properly drain in the spring.

3. Winterize your air conditioner. Clean off your air conditioner of debris, turn the power off to the unit, and place a cover over your AC. Read more on winterizing your air conditioner.

Fall DIY maintenance is key in keeping your home safe from all the pitfalls of a traditional Edmonton winter. Take a weekend to go through this checklist and make the repairs and improvements necessary for maximum security and energy-efficiency. Remember that the experts at Always Plumbing & Heating can help if you need professional heating maintenance or any plumbing or HVAC related needs throughout the fall.

DIY Sump Pump Maintenance

Your homes’ sump pump is one of the most important parts of your home plumbing fixtures in flood prevention. Sump pumps are designed to keep basements from flooding when the water table is higher than your homes’ foundation, particularly in times during large rainfall or after large snowmelt. Edmonton and area commonly receive large volumes of rain, not just in Spring, but in Summer, and sometimes into Fall. In addition to that, with the first snowmelt each the Spring, your sump pump will kick into full gear. Most, but not all, homes in Edmonton and area will be equipped with at least one sump pump, usually found in your basement utility room. With this knowledge at hand, it is prudent that homeowners pay close attention to the functioning of their sump pumps to ensure that their homes will be kept safe from water damage. There are several steps that homeowners can take to ensure their sump pump is optimally functional.

Do It Yourself Sump Pump Maintenance

Check the Sump Pump for Debris

To check the sump pump for debris, shine a flashlight into the pit that the pump is located, looking for sediment or other contaminants. Remove any debris as it will affect the performance of the pump. You can do this using a slotted spoon, or for smaller sediment, a kitchen sieve with very small holes in it. It is ideal to do this at least every Spring.

Inspect the Sump Pump Check Valve

Also referred to as a one-way valve, this valve ensures that water doesn’t re-enter the sump pump once it shuts off. The valve prevents backflow of water that it has already pumped out, thus making the device a one-way flow system. Check the valve on the water outlet pipe, and ensure the arrow is pointing away from the sump pump.

Sump Pump Routine Cleaning

Clean out both the relief hole and the impeller. To locate the relief hole, find the small opening between the sump pump discharge and the check valve. It can be cleaned using a cotton swab or a toothbrush. The impeller is the filtering mechanism attached to the sump pump. This can get clogged very easily and it should be routinely cleaned, at least monthly, or more often during times of heavy usage.

Test Your Sump Pump

Fill a large bucket with 3 gallons of water and pour it into the sump pump pit. The pump should start automatically, draining the water out of the pit. Try this twice consecutively to ensure the pump is in working order.

Back-up Power Source for Sump Pump

Because the sump pump is powered by electricity, it is important to ensure that your pump has a backup power source. Most power outages happen during major storms, which subsequently is when most basement flooding occurs. If your sump pump doesn’t have a backup power source and your home experiences a power outage during heavy rainfall, your sump pump will not function and the water has nowhere to go but into your home. Install a backup battery on your sump pump to provide you peace of mind protection in this instance.

Redundant System

A redundant system is a backup sump pump. Many homes have both a primary pump as well as a secondary backup pump. Having an emergency backup sump pump will provide the best protection against flooding.

Sump Pump Failure Alarm

Last but not least, a wifi powered sump pump alarm is a must for the homeowner who wants true optimal peace of mind surrounding their homes sump pump system.

Make sure that your home is kept free from flooding and water damage. Check and maintain your sump pump annually to keep it clean and running efficiently. You’ll also want to make sure that it is serviced by a professional at least once a year before the summer or fall. Remember that Always Plumbing & Heating can help you with all of your sump pump repairs. If it is determined that your system is due to be replaced, our skilled plumbers will provide you with options for any and all of the devices listed above, or full integrated smart systems that contain both a primary and backup pump with Wifi remote monitoring.

Spring Maintenance Tips for Your Edmonton Home

Springtime in Edmonton doesn’t usually carry a connotation of much more than slightly warmer temperatures and perhaps a greater increase in rainfall, but it’s a welcome sight after another harsh winter. With the arrival of spring, however mild it may be, comes some routine home maintenance you can perform just to ensure the things you might not have been able to attend to during winter receives some much-needed upkeep and attention.

There’s more to spring maintenance than just running a vacuum through the interior or throwing out your extra clothes. Your home has been exposed to the elements for a few months now, and that weather might have done a number on the roof and siding, for instance. The folks at Always Plumbing & Heating feel your pain, and we’re happy to run through a checklist of a few ways you can fix up your home in time for spring.

Exterior

Do a walk-around of the siding, and run a pressure-washer on any dirty spots you might encounter. Also, check any wood that might’ve been exposed over the winter for potential damage. Keep going around the perimeter of the house — does the deck or patio need to be repaired or treated?
When it’s safe, find a way to examine the shingles on your roof. Shingles may have been warped or damaged, or they might’ve been removed altogether.
Sticking close to the roof here – take a look at the gutters and downspouts. Remove any debris that could’ve gotten clogged there and run some water through it all to double-check its drainage capabilities.
Make sure your windows aren’t damaged. Are there holes, are they dirty, or are there broken or loose frames? Depending on where your home is located, the precipitation might’ve caused some serious harm.
Inspect the outdoor faucets and see if they’ve frozen or been damaged after being exposed to the cold weather and snow.

Landscaping

While you were hunkered down inside, curled up by the fire, the vegetation outside has had time to grow without interruption (for the most part). If trees or other plant life live in close proximity, they might’ve crept closer and need to be cut back – especially if they’re impeding the radiator or another critical piece of machinery.
It’s almost grass-cutting season! Give the lawnmower a fresh oil change and sharpen the blades if possible.

Interior

Are your smoke detectors’ batteries charged and operational? Routine testing is something homeowners forget fairly easily, and the importance of having functional smoke detectors can’t be understated.
Vacuum your refrigerator’s coils and clean them off. It’ll improve efficiency and keep it from going into overdrive to keep food cool.
Depending on how much work your HVAC unit went through to keep you comfortable over the last few months, there’s a chance it might need servicing. It deserves a reward after working so hard!
Of course, there’s still the stereotypical Spring Cleaning to take care of. With all the other tasks to take care of, regular old cleaning can get thrown to the wayside. It’s still important, though, and you’ll be glad you did it when the time comes.

This isn’t meant to be a one-size-fits-all list of things to do to your home. Every situation is different, and some homes’ features differ wildly from others. This was meant more to give you a basic idea of the types of things to be on the lookout for as we make the transition to a new season. Of course, should you run into any more serious problems, the professionals at Always Plumbing & Heating would love to help you out. We offer a variety of services to best suit your needs, so give us a call at 780-489-8118 (Edmonton) or 587-601-1253!