Winters in New England are rough. The snowbanks don’t quit, the wind feels like it cuts through steel, and every system in the house gets tested. People usually worry about the furnace or the roof first. Fair enough. But when something goes wrong with the pipes, it’s a whole different kind of trouble. Frozen lines, jammed disposals, a dead sump pump—it happens more often than folks admit. These plumbing issues show up when you least want them, and they’re not the kind of thing you can ignore.
Frozen Pipes
Nothing sends a homeowner into panic mode faster than turning on a faucet and getting… nothing. That silence? It’s ice. And ice inside a pipe doesn’t just block water. It expands. That can easily lead to the pipe breaking wide open. When that happens watch out. The water will flood your home or at least parts of it. So what’s the answer? It’s fairly simple. Wrap your pipes in foam insulation or have a professional handle the job. In addition, you should have a plumbing company inspect the pipes, especially if you own an older property.
Water Heater Woes
Hot showers are sacred in the dead of winter. That’s why water heaters collapse under the load this time of year. Incoming water is colder, so the tank works harder. Add holiday visitors, longer showers, extra laundry—it’s a recipe for breakdowns. Tanks with sediment rattling around the bottom usually give out first. The fix? Flush it once a year if you can. If not, cross your fingers. Of all the plumbing issues, this one hits where it hurts. Nobody wants a blast of ice water first thing in the morning.
Clogged Drains and Disposals
The kitchen sees more action in December than in July, and the pipes pay for it. Grease poured down the sink stiffens like candle wax once it cools. Potato skins, coffee grounds, celery—they don’t belong in a disposal, but people toss them in anyway. And then the sink clogs right in the middle of dinner prep. You can avoid most of it by scraping plates into the trash and running water when you do use the disposal. Sounds simple, but plumbers still get call after call. It’s one of those plumbing issues that never seems to disappear.
Sump Pump Letdowns
Snow melts, rain falls, and suddenly the basement’s taking on water. That’s when you hope the sump pump is awake. If the float switch sticks or the outlet line freezes, the pump won’t move a drop. A quick test before the season—just lifting the float to see if it kicks on—makes a big difference. Checking the discharge pipe outside helps too. It’s boring work, but not nearly as boring as hauling wet boxes out of a flooded basement. Few plumbing issues ruin a weekend faster than a dead sump pump.
Outdoor Faucets
Spigots outside don’t look dangerous, but they can crack just as easily. Leave a hose attached through a freeze and the water inside expands until metal gives way. Even frost-proof models can split if they weren’t drained right. All it takes to avoid it is turning off the inside valve and opening the faucet to clear it. Two minutes of work saves you from finding water dripping down a wall when spring rolls around.
Keep Ahead of It
Winter plumbing trouble isn’t glamorous, but it’s predictable. Wrap pipes where you can. Flush the tank. Test the pump. Take hoses off. These aren’t big jobs, and they save money, time, and nerves.
Contact JV Mechanical Contractors, Inc.
For property owners seeking top-tier HVAC solutions, JV Mechanical Contractors, Inc. is a trusted partner. With years of experience in providing heating and cooling services to commercial clients, we offer a range of comprehensive solutions to meet your unique needs. Reach out today.
