While the majority of winter storm Jonas’ wrath hit to the south of us, enough snow fell in NYC to ensure it’s not exactly a picnic in these parts! Winter weather can cause plumbing problems, including frozen pipes, overwhelmed HVAC systems and more. Here are some tips from your NYC plumber to keep your family safe and comfortable no matter what the weather does:
Outdoor Heating Pumps Must Be Kept Free of Snow: Building owners, you want to have a strategy in place to ensure that your outdoor heat pump never, ever gets completely buried by the snow. This can be a task delegated to your maintenance team, or you can do it yourself if you like to shovel, but it must be done. The heat pump is the unit that controls the movement of hot and cool air throughout your building.
To Keep Pipes From Freezing, Keep Water Moving: Leaving a trickle of water to run into the kitchen sink, bathroom sink, tubs and other taps is a good idea to keep pipes from freezing. It’s also a smart strategy to open cabinet doors to allow heat to reach the pipes below. If you suspect your pipes are frozen, let your building manager know immediately – they’re going to want to get a plumber on the scene right away to remedy the situation.
And Don’t Forget Murphy’s Law: There’s nothing like a significant winter storm to persuade your toilet it’s time to clog, the garbage disposal to break down, or other plumbing issue to raise its head. Make sure you have the number of a reliable, professional NYC plumber in your phone to make getting help quick and simple!
