Steps to take to keep your pipes from freezing.

The following are a few helpful tips from AquaTech Plumbing to keep your home free from the disaster of freezing pipes this winter:

•          As temperatures reach freezing and dip far below it, be sure to close all air vents and other openings in the crawl space under your house. This will prevent heat from escaping as much as possible.

•          In freezing weather, never set your home's thermostat below 55 degrees. Below that temperature your pipes are at risk of freezing.  Don’t try to be an environmental hero and save a few bucks on your energy bill.

•          Insulate pipes that are prone to freezing, such as those near an outside wall, in unheated areas of your home, or if they are exposed, such as outside spigots. In an emergency, several layers of newspapers or rags can be used for temporary insulation.  However, seek professional help in winterizing your pipes if you are not capable of doing the work.

•          Keep the cover to your water meter box securely in place to prevent the meter from freezing during cold periods.

•          Here is a tip we can all do in extremely cold weather, leave cabinet doors under sinks open to keep warm air circulating.

Especially for the elderly some of these precautionary efforts may be difficult this winter.  If and when winter problems occur, call AquaTech Plumbing any time 24/7 serving Naperville, Lisle, Plainfield, Aurora, Geneva, Batavia, St. Charles, Wheaton, Winfield, Warrenville, or Glen Ellyn, at 630-416-3555, 630-898-3444, 630-377-9555, or 630-462-3555.

Winter Plumbing Tips for Chicagoland.

Old man winter…here he comes.  If he is as rough and tough as he was last year then Chicagoland is in for potential plumbing problems again.  The first order of business is to avoid frozen pipes.  Watch your water pressure and at the first sign of restricted water flow call a professional immediately.  Also let cold water trickle from your faucets at about a pencil’s width.

Disconnect garden hoses and drain all of your outdoor pipes to battle winter damage due to a hard freeze.  The next step is to install an insulated faucet jacket.  Also, be sure to utilize the shut off valves inside of your home to drain the water from pipes that lead outdoors.  Another thing, keep the temperature in your home high enough so that you are circulating warm air to help your pipes stay warm.

Even precautionary efforts may not be enough to completely protect you from plumbing problems this winter.  If and when those occur, Call AquaTech Plumbing any time 24/7, serving Naperville, Lisle, Plainfield, Aurora, Geneva, Batavia, St. Charles, Wheaton, Winfield, Warrenville, or Glen Ellyn, at 630-416-3555, 630-898-3444, 630-377-9555, or 630-462-3555.

Let’s Think Spring in Chicagoland with Regard to Our Plumbing.

I know, right now it is hard to think about warmer weather.  The truth is winter is taking its toll on your plumbing system.  It is freezing now, but in a couple of months there will be a thaw.  Instead of waiting until the last minute, AquaTech plumbing in the Naperville-Aurora area urges you to think ahead.

This cold weather may be causing freeze-related breaks and leaks that won’t show up until you turn on the water.  Wait to turn on your outside faucets and lawn sprinklers until after nighttime low temperatures are consistently above freezing (32° F) and once you do, remember to carefully check for leaks inside and outside your home.

You can also CALL US and we’ll perform a complete Spring Inspection to make sure your home is ready for warm weather. Though there is a storm on its way and a few more to come, it's never too early to prepare.

In another month or so contact AquaTech plumbing serving the Naperville-Plainfield-Aurora, Geneva-Batavia-St.Charles or Wheaton-Winfield-Warrenville-Glen Ellyn area at  630-416-3555, 630-377-9555, or 630-462-3555 for a complete Spring inspection which may include…

- Faucet leak check

- Under-sink leak check

- Toilet leak check

- Water heater check-out

- Water Pressure test

- Main Water Shut-off check

- Comprehensive leak check

Take heart.  This season’s end to cabin fever is just around the corner!

Freezing Pipes…The Scourge of a Chicagoland Winter.

AquaTech Plumbing tips to keep your home in good working order this winter, and if something goes wrong we are here to help you through the winter of 2014-2015.

•  As temperatures reach freezing and dip far below it, be sure to close all air vents and other openings in the crawl space under your house. This will prevent heat from escaping as much as possible.

•  In freezing weather, never set your home's thermostat below 55 degrees. Below that temperature your pipes are at risk of freezing.

•  Insulate pipes that are prone to freezing, such as those near an outside wall, in unheated areas of your home, or if they are exposed, such as outside spigots. In an emergency, several layers of newspapers or rags can be used for temporary insulation.

•  Keep the cover to your water meter box securely in place to prevent the meter from freezing during cold periods.

•  Here is a tip that most people do not consider.  In extremely cold weather, leave cabinet doors under sinks open to keep warm air circulating.

If Your Pipes Freeze:

•  It is ill-advised to use a hair dryer, heat lamp or light bulb to thaw the frozen pipe yourself. Too much heat in one spot can burst the pipe, and it is difficult to evenly distribute the heat over a large area of the pipe. We also recommend against using any electrical appliance to thaw a pipe which can be dangerous because the appliance could become wet, increasing your danger of electrocution.

•  DO NOT use a blow torch or any type of flame to thaw a frozen line. In addition to the danger of fire, extreme heat could thaw the pipe too rapidly, causing it to burst and resulting in potential injury and damage to your property. 

If you live in the Naperville-Plainfield-Aurora, Geneva-Batavia-St.Charles or Wheaton-Winfield-Warrenville-Glen Ellyn area, contact AquaTech Plumbing at 630-416-3555, 630-377-9555, or 630-462-3555 for assistance in keeping your home in tip-top shape this winter season.