Why You Should Insulate Pipes Before Winter Hits
Let’s talk about something that’s not exactly glamorous but super important for your home’s health as winter creeps in—pipe insulation. Now, before you start zoning out, we promise this isn’t just another boring “home maintenance” checklist item. This one could actually save you from some serious headaches (and expenses) when temperatures drop. What’s the Big Deal About Pipe Insulation? When water freezes, it expands. So if your pipes aren’t protected, that ice can cause them to burst—flooding your home and ruining your day. And trust us, frozen pipe repairs are not on anyone’s holiday wish list. But here’s the thing: this disaster is totally preventable with a little pre-winter prep. Here’s Why You Should Insulate Your Pipes Now (Not Later): 1. Prevent Frozen Pipes Insulation acts like a cozy jacket for your plumbing. It keeps the warmth in and the cold out—especially for pipes in unheated spaces like basements, crawl spaces, garages, or exterior walls. 2. Save on Energy Costs If you have a hot water pipe running through a cold area, it loses heat fast. That means your water heater has to work overtime. Insulating pipes helps water stay warm, so your system doesn’t have to work as hard (and you don’t have to pay as much). 3. Hot Water, Faster Ever turn on the tap and wait… and wait… for hot water? Insulated pipes help speed that up. Less waiting, less wasted water, more comfort. Win-win-win. 4. Avoid Costly Repairs Here’s the not-so-fun math: a roll of pipe insulation might cost a few bucks. A burst pipe repair? That’ll run you hundreds—if not thousands. Insulating pipes is a small investment that protects you from big bills later. 5. Peace of Mind When the Freeze Hits Imagine a snowstorm rolls in, temperatures plummet, and you’re not stressed about your plumbing. That peace of mind is worth its weight in insulation foam. Which Pipes Should You Insulate? Focus on any pipes that run through: Unheated basements Garages Attics Crawl spaces Exterior walls Outdoor spigots (yes, even those need a little love!) Not a DIY Pro? That’s Okay. Pipe insulation is a fairly simple DIY job with the right materials—but if crawling around in your attic with foam tubing isn’t your idea of a good time, we’ve got you. Our team can inspect your pipes and make sure they’re winter-ready before the first freeze hits. Contact Steve’s Plumbing for All Your Pipe Insulation Needs in Lynnwood, WA and the Surrounding Areas Today Insulating your pipes now saves money, protects your home, and gives you one less thing to worry about when the weather outside gets frightful. Let’s get ahead of the cold. Call us today to schedule your winter prep service—we’ll help keep things flowing, no matter how low the temps go.
Common Summer Plumbing Problems and How to Fix Them
Summer is a time for pool days, cookouts, road trips—and sometimes, surprise plumbing issues. Yep, your plumbing system can get a little stressed out during the hotter months, especially when your home sees more activity and your yard gets more water than usual. Don’t worry, though. You don’t need to be a plumbing pro to stay ahead of these issues. Here are some of the most common summer plumbing problems, why they happen, and a few tips on how to fix (or prevent) them. 1. Clogged Garbage Disposal Why it happens: Summer meals often include foods that garbage disposals hate: corn husks, melon rinds, greasy BBQ leftovers—you name it. Add in more frequent cooking and guests, and it’s no surprise your disposal can get overwhelmed. How to fix it: First, turn off the disposal and unplug it if possible. Use tongs or pliers (never your hands!) to remove visible blockages. Try a reset using the little button on the bottom of the unit. Still stuck? A professional can safely disassemble and clear it out. Pro tip: Run cold water before and after using the disposal, and avoid putting stringy or fibrous foods down the drain. 2. Backed-Up Sewer Lines Why it happens: Heavy summer rains can overwhelm sewer systems, especially if tree roots have worked their way into the pipes. A sewage backup is every homeowner’s nightmare—and it smells as bad as it sounds. How to fix it: If multiple drains are slow or you smell sewage, stop using water and call a plumber ASAP. Avoid using chemical drain cleaners—they often make things worse. Prevention tip: Schedule a sewer line inspection every few years, especially if you have large trees or an older home. 3. Sprinkler System Leaks Why it happens: Sprinkler heads are easy targets for lawnmowers, kids, pets, or even just regular wear and tear. A broken head or underground leak can waste a ton of water (and money). How to fix it: Look for soggy spots or unusually high water bills. Check sprinkler heads for visible damage and replace them if needed. If you suspect an underground leak, call in a pro—digging blind can do more harm than good. 4. Washing Machine Trouble Why it happens: More outdoor activities = more laundry. Whether it’s beach towels or muddy sports gear, your washer works overtime in the summer. That extra load can lead to clogs, leaks, or even floods. How to fix it: Inspect hoses for bulges or cracks, and make sure connections are tight. Don’t overload the machine. If you’re doing multiple loads a day, give it a break in between. Upgrade tip: Consider switching to braided stainless steel hoses—they’re much more durable than rubber ones. 5. Outdoor Faucet or Hose Bib Leaks Why it happens: Freezing temps in winter can crack pipes or hose bibs, but you might not notice until summer when you finally turn them back on. That small drip could be wasting gallons of water a day. How to fix it: Check for dripping even when the hose is off. Tighten the connection, and if that doesn’t work, the washer or the entire bib might need replacing. If there’s water pooling near your foundation, shut it off and call for help—leaks near the house can lead to serious damage. Contact Steve’s Plumbing for Help With Plumbing Problems in Lynnwood, WA and the Surrounding Areas A little maintenence truly goes a long way. Summer plumbing problems are super common, but most can be avoided with a little extra care. Keep an eye (and ear) out for leaks, odd sounds, or changes in water pressure. And when in doubt—don’t DIY it. It’s always better to call a professional than to turn a small issue into a big (and expensive) one. Need help with a plumbing issue this summer? We’re just a phone call away and ready to help you keep things running smoothly—so you can get back to enjoying your summer.
Spring Plumbing Tips Dos And Donts
Spring cleaning is not just for closets and carpets. Heading into a new season is also a good chance for homeowners to check on and inspect certain parts of their home’s plumbing. A home’s plumbing network is vital. If even a small issue goes unnoticed, it can often lead to much larger, much costlier problems. Routine observation of your plumbing and occasional maintenance can help you avoid unnecessary repairs and keep your home’s plumbing system running smoothly. However, if you do notice something alarming about a pipe, tank, or other plumbing unit, always be sure to contact professional and experienced plumbers. At Steve’s Plumbing, our team of expert plumbers are happy to help our Lynnwood, WA, neighbors stay safe and sound at home. Contact us today for more information on all of our plumbing services! Spring Plumbing Tips: Dos Here are just a few of the many things you can do to ensure your home’s plumbing system is operating properly: Inspect Your Faucets and Pipes Below Your Sinks Leaky faucets are not only annoying, they are also costly. All that dripping water adds up over time. In fact, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a dripping faucet that leaks at the rate of one drip per second can use more than 3,000 gallons per year. That’s enough water to take 180 showers! While inspecting the faucets for leaks, take a few additional minutes to look at the exposed pipes beneath your sinks. If you find any signs of rust or corrosion, the pipes likely need to be replaced. An experienced plumber can take care of that quickly and easily. Check Your Water Heater Homeowners should also check their water heaters for any signs of rust or corrosion. If you find any rust, corrosion, puddles or small pools of water near the unit, or if the water heater’s temperature exceeds 120 degrees fahrenheit, you may need water heater repair or water heater replacement. Call a professional! Check for a Leaky Toilet Another place homeowners should check for leaks is their bathroom. A leaky toilet can really hike up your monthly water bill and potentially do damage to your floors. Make sure you feel the floor around the toilet for wetness. If it’s indeed wet, this may be a sign of a failed joint or broken seal. In this case, it’s best to call an experienced plumber for repairs. Clean Your Gutters and Spouts In Lynnwood, WA, where there are so many towering trees, it is very, very important for homeowners to clean their gutters and spouts. Clogged gutters and spouts can result in serious foundational and structural damage to your home. They can also be a breeding ground for bacteria and mold. Contact Us for Plumbing Services! If you notice any of these issues or an issue we didn’t list above, contact us for plumbing services today! At Steve’s Plumbing, we offer quick, quality, and cost-effective services by our team of experienced plumbers. Spring Plumbing: Don’ts While there are a number of things you should do to ensure your plumbing system is in good working order, there are also many things you should not do, such as: Don’t Waste Water If you allow your faucets, shower heads, toilets, or other taps or valves to leak, you’re wasting serious water. Not only does your overuse of water affect the availability of water for other communities,it’s also expensive. Eventually, all of those little drops add up and can contribute to higher monthly water bills. Don’t Use Drain Cleaners The unfortunate truth is that sooner or later drains become clogged. Drain cleaning can help remove clogs and keep water running efficiently. However, store-bought drain cleaners are harsh on pipes and usually ineffective. Most often, they cause more damage to a home’s plumbing than they are worth. Anyone searching for “drain cleaning near me” in Lynnwood, WA, should contact us today! Don’t Do Anything You Don’t Know How to Do According to Realty Zero, While inspecting your home’s plumbing, do not perform any repairs or replacements without the proper training or experience to do so. Fixing up plumbing issues yourself may cause further damage to your units or home and lead to more costly repairs. It is always best to call experts for water heater repair, drain cleaning, and other complicated plumbing tasks. Don’t Forget to Call Us! A good plumbing system is key to every comfortable, livable home. Remember, problems with your home’s plumbing can be more than just an inconvenience. To ensure your home’s plumbing is running as efficiently as possible, do some routine inspections and maintenance. Check for leaks and wear and tear on your pipes to avoid costly problems down the road. Remember, don’t perform any repairs you do not know how to do. Calling professional plumbers is always a more cost-effective and long-lasting solution to plumbing problems. Our Diamond Club members can rest assured that all of these “to do” items were part of their free annual plumbing inspection. A yearly inspection by a trained professional can help you avoid catastrophic failures and costly repairs. Ask your plumber how to join our Diamond Club. Contact us at Steve’s Plumbing today for more information or to schedule service. We’re the best plumbers in Lynnwood, WA!