Plumbing disasters can happen any time of year, but there is no question that the winter months bring different challenges to homeowners in the Flathead Valley. So preventative planning and maintenance is needed to protect against potential cold weather plumbing damage.

Below is a list of common winter plumbing problem that you can encounter in an average year. This list will help you identify whether it’s time to call the plumbing professionals at Central Heating, Cooling, Plumbing and Electrical and protect your home against more damage.

Frozen Pipes
You’re pipes are at serious risk of freezing as the winter months bring in the frigid temperatures. An ounce of prevention can help protect against potential cold weather damage. If you do encounter an issue with frozen pipes, you’ll need to shut off the main water supply as soon as possible. This will reduce the possibility of your pipes bursting as you reduce the pressure in the pipes. After you’ve done this, it is important to call Central Heating, Cooling, Plumbing and Electrical to avoid serious damage to the rest of your system.

Water Line Leak or Break
Blockages can be caused by standing water in your pipes freezing, after the temperatures have dropped. Over time, serious pressure can build up in your pipes, potentially causing them to break or leak. If you think it is possible that you have an ice blockage in your lines, use the shut off valve in your home to protect against damage until the blockage is melted away. If the blockage persists, it is time to call in the plumbing professionals.

Poor Heating
In the summer, boiler systems stay inactive for months at a time, but as it gets colder and we crank up the heat again - it puts great amounts of sudden strain on the system, which unfortunately can lead to unexpected breakdowns at the worst possible time. If it feels like your boiler system is not pushing out the amount of heat needed, you may want to check your boiler pressure and check to be certain the power source is working. In the event there is a problem, calling a professional is generally the fastest, safest option to identify and fix the issue.

Water Heater Breakdown
Nobody likes an unexpected cold shower on a cold winter day. but that’s exactly what you may get when your have water heater failure. Typically, the standard water heater has a life span of about 10 years. If you notice your water heater making strange noises or not doing its job, it may be time to call a plumbing professional to assess the situation and possibly consider getting replacement.

Whether it’s spring, summer, winter or fall in the Flathead Valley…As always, your Comfort is our Central concern! Call 406-756-6656 for all your heating, cooling, plumbing and drain cleaning needs.

***We service Kalispell, Whitefish, Columbia Falls, Bigfork, Polson, Lakeside, Somers and the surrounding Flathead Valley***

Is Your Home In Tip-Top Shape?

Are you keeping your home in tip-top shape? Home ownership goes beyond just purchasing a house and the financial responsibility. It also requires regular home upkeep and maintenance to keep it running without issue. No different than your car needing a regular oil change.

Obviously we all love to play when the sun is shining, but because of the prolonged sunlight that the season brings, it is also a good time to focus on any projects that we have been putting off.  

Here’s a list of summer home maintenance tasks to help you get started and so your home will be happy and healthy for years to come. 

• Inspect plumbing and check for leaks – Check every faucet, toilet and water source in your home for small leaks; and repair as needed. Also check your faucets for poor water pressure. If there are no visible leaks present, there’s a good chance that it’s caused by a clogged aerator on the faucet tip, which is an easy fix. If the problem continues after replacing the aerator, call the plumbing professionals at Central.
• Check and clean dryer vent – When the dryer is turned on and running check that exhaust is exiting the vent. It should smell like fresh, clean laundry. If there doesn’t appear to be much exhaust, look for any possible blockages and vacuum all lint from the hose at the dryer to avoid any mishaps.
• Check windows – If you are trying to keep the heat out when running the AC, one of the key tasks in maintaining your windows is to routinely check for any cracks in the sealants. Make sure inside and outside is secured and caulk any open areas in between. Also check that your weather stripping isn’t damaged or old and replace it immediately. If you are cleaning between the grooves, a small paintbrush or old toothbrush works great to clean out the hard to reach areas.
• Preventing mold and mildew – With the humidity that comes with summer, it’s easy for mold and mildew to grow and become a nuisance. The key to prevention is air circulation. When you leave the shower, leave the shower door or curtain open to allow them to dry. Also leave your washer and dryer doors open when possible to avoid the growth of smelly bacteria.
• Turn it off! –  On hot days avoid using your oven or stove. Both create heat build up in your home and can make your air conditioning work harder to keep your house cool. Using the outside grille is a nice and many times healthier alternative. Also, install energy efficient lighting that runs cooler. Only 10-15% of incandescent lights result in light, the rest just creates heat. 

Whether you are in Kalispell, Whitefish, Columbia Falls, Bigfork, Polson or anywhere else in the Flathead Valley…As always, your comfort is our CENTRAL concern. Call 406-756-6656 for all your heating, cooling, plumbing, electrical and drain cleaning needs.

The frigid winters of Montana can create a myriad of problems within your home if not prepared. Frozen plumbing pipes that burst is one of those avoidable and often messy issues that can be avoided with an ounce of prevention.

Not every pipe that freezes will burst, but when they do it is because water expands as it freezes which adds extra stress and pressure on the plumbing pipes. That extra anxiety placed on the pipes may cause a crack down the length of the pipe that originally started with just a tiny leak, and then may turn into a flood situation within your home.

Below are a few quick tips that will help:

Identifying Frozen Pipes

• Toilets will not refill in the bowl after flushing
• Faucets will not release water
• Not all pipes will be visible, but if you see a line that is coated in frost and bulging

Thawing Frozen Pipes

• Use a hair dryer, space heater or heat lamp
• Thermostatically controlled heat tape in frozen area
• NEVER use a blowtorch! A fire would be worse than your current issue

Dealing with a Pipe that Burst

• If a flood appears in your basement, shut off the main water supply as soon as you identify the problem to lessen the flooding. The sooner you shut off the valve the less it will cost you
• With out delay, remove as much of the water as possible to dry the area. Use and availability of wet/dry vac, mops and towels will be helpful
• Call the experts at Central Heating, Cooling Plumbing and Electrical right away!

 Preventing it from Happening

• Insulate any hot and cold water pipes that may be in basements, garage, crawl spaces, attic and under cabinets
• Allow air to circulate around plumbing by opening kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors
• Keep a consistent temperature day and night, by temporarily not lowering night time temperatures
• Allow water to drip from faucets that have exposed pipes when it is very cold; it will help prevent the pipes from freezing

 If the unthinkable should take place, it is best to act fast and call Central Heating, Cooling, Plumbing and Electrical so that you can reduce extra costly repairs and damage.

Whether you are in Kalispell, Whitefish, Bigfork, Columbia Falls or anywhere else in the Flathead Valley. . .As always, your Comfort is our Central concern, call 756-6656, for all your heating, cooling, plumbing, electrical and drain cleaning needs.

Have ever been in a position where you are sitting in your living room reading a book, watching TV or listening to music and all of a sudden you notice water dripping from your ceiling for no apparent reason? Fear not . . .it’s not a storm, it’s either a leaking water heater or quite possibly it burst! 

According to Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) this problem is listed as one of the top 5 reasons for this type of residential water damage. After the insurance deductible has been paid, the average cost to fix this type of damage is over $4000.00.

All of this can be avoided by checking your water heater regularly for preventable issues. 

1.) Rusty tank – Steel water tanks over time will rust after the internal rust protection element called a “sacrificial” anode rod, deteriorates. A good indication you have a problem with your water heater is if when you run the hot water from the faucet and the water comes out with a brown or rust-like color to it.

How to prevent this issue: Once the warranty has expires, inspect the anode rod at least once a year. Every 4-5 years you will probably need to change the anode rod, and possibly sooner if you use a water softener.

2.) Build-up of sediment – Minerals from hard water called sediment will settle to the bottom of your water tank. This layer of sediment creates an insulated layer, which blocks the water from the burner and causes the water heater to run longer to heat the water causing it to overheat and break down and deteriorate the tank.

If you can hear popping or crackling noises, it’s a good indication that water is trapped under the sediment and is bubbling up and trying to escape.

How to prevent this issue: Once a year flush and drain the tank to remove the sediment to ensure your water heater is working properly.

2.) Under Internal Pressure – Picture yourself blowing air into a balloon . . . What happens f you blow too much air? POP! Too much pressure pops the balloon. The same thing will happen in your water heater when too much pressure builds up in the tank. Eventually the tank will leak, burst and or even quite possibly explode to allow the pressure to escape.

 Luckily, your water heater uses a temperature and pressure (T&P) relief valve, which releases some of the water to reduce the pressure. But, even with the T&P the extra valve it can break down the tank. If the valve leaks or keeps opening to release water, pressure will build up in the tank and eventually lead to the inevitable.

How to prevent this issue: When the temperature of the water heater is set to high (140-145) pressure builds in the tank. Keep your water heater temperature at approximately 120-125 degrees. This will reduce your chances of scalding yourself and creating too much pressure. You should also test the T&P valve twice a year to ensure that it is properly relieving the tank pressure.

 The best way to ensure your water heater is maintenanced properly – Even though these tasks are not difficult to do on your own, they are easy to forget amongst our busy lives. So call CENTRAL and schedule an appointment today!

 Whether you are in Kalispell, Whitefish, Bigfork, Columbia Falls or anywhere else in the Flathead Valley. . .As always, your Comfort is our Central concern, call 756-6656, for all your heating, cooling, plumbing, electrical and drain cleaning needs.

• To help save water and money, check the faucet in the kitchen and bathroom for leaks.
• Make sure that there are filters on drains. This will help prevent hair, soap and other substances that may block your drains.
• Check your toilet for leaks. A fast and inexpensive way to do this is to put a few drops of food coloring in your toilet tank. If there is a leak, the food color will end up in the bowl within half an hour. While you’re at it, check out the bowl for any cracks or leaks.
• Check your toilets to make sure they are flushing correctly. If you must hold or shake the handle, you need to replace the parts of the toilet which are responsible for flushing. They do not cost much and in fact will save you money on your water bill.
• Finally, clean your shower head with vinegar to remove mineral deposits that can clog. I know most people don’t know this little trick of the trade. Take a Zip Loc bag and fill it with white vinegar. Place the Zip Loc bag on the shower head in place and wrap the bag with a few heavy rubber bands securing the bag to the shower head. Leave for 24 hrs and the mineral deposits should breakdown leaving your shower clean as a whistle.