Boston Plumbing and Heating Blog

If you have spent time and money converting your concrete basement into a comfortable living space, then you have reason to protect your investment. Home drainage systems are usually centered in or around your finished basement which is why they are the main culprits regarding flooding during winter. While drains can be located on the outside of your basement, it is important that you look at both the interior and exterior, the outside drains can still affect the interior of your home.

Basement flooding can be a huge problem to deal with in winter when the weather can get extremely cold. The only way to prevent this is to hire professional plumbers in Worcester, MA to check branch and main drain lines for clogs. Repair and maintenance of the drains in and around your home can keep lots of problems at bay. It is equally important to have the integrity of your foundation inspected.

If you want to make sure that your drainage system is working properly so your basement will stay dry this winter, contact the experts at Greater Boston Plumbing and Heating.

Frozen pipes are a common issue when there is an extreme drop in temperature. Water pipes usually freeze when cold air come in through dryer vents that are located nearby. This should be given immediate attention before pipes freeze and then burst, causing flooding.

Water expands as it freezes when exposed to severe cold temperatures. The pipes that run nearest the exterior walls of your home that are poorly insulated are particularly susceptible to very cold temperatures. When frozen, this expansion puts tremendous pressure on the pipes, regardless of if they are metal or plastic. Therefore, preventative measures need to be taken in order to keep the water in the pipes from freezing. Otherwise these pipes can burst causing out-of-control flooding which can be messy and often expensive to repair. Get the help from professional plumbers in Boston, MA to prevent the water pipes in your home from freezing.

The problem of frozen water pipes in Boston, Worcester can be worse when it is difficult to locate the frozen area or if the area of the pipe is not readily accessible. These and other problems can be solved with the proper equipment and a plumber with proper training. Whether in residential or commercial buildings, proper installation of pipe insulation is highly recommended to prevent pipes from freezing especially in extreme cold weather conditions. Additionally, your plumbing system may have other issues that need to be addressed so consulting a plumber before the extreme cold temperatures strike is important.

Preventing and thawing frozen water pipes should only be done with the help of professional plumbers. For more details, contact Greater Boston Plumbing and Heating.

This winter, it is a good idea to have the boiler serviced especially if it is an older boiler in Worcester, MA. Getting it serviced requires hiring an HVAC specialist. This should be done at least once a year to ensure everything is in safe working condition.

Now that the cold temperatures have really arrived, it is best not to wait until your boiler breaks or starts running inefficiently before have boiler maintenance taken care of. It is recommended that you have an HVAC technician inspect your household boiler yearly, even if there seems to be nothing wrong; better safe than sorry. With regular maintenance a specialist will correctly diagnose potential problems that can cause real trouble in winter. Boiler check-ups will also help in determining whether your boiler needs to be replaced or just needs standard repairs.

Checking and ensuring that your heating system functions properly means that your boiler will less likely to freeze up or break down when the temperature drops. A boiler that is not regularly maintained will take more time to warm itself. A boiler needs maintenance when the flame burns yellow rather than blue, when there is a smell of gas while in use, and when repeated restarts are required. In these scenarios you really need to call an HVAC specialist to check on your boiler and your entire heating system.

If you have not yet had your boiler serviced this year, contact Greater Boston Plumbing and Heating.