Lehi City News
4 Frequent Plumbing Emergencies That Happen to Utah Residents
Plumbing emergencies can happen seemingly from nowhere, throwing the whole household into disarray. If you’ve been a resident of Utah for some time, you already know all about these struggles. Its unique climate and water conditions create concerns even beyond frozen pipes in the winter, including hard water buildup all year long. For Utah residents, it’s best to have a plumbing service you’re connected with so you can reach out when a plumbing problem occurs. Here is a look at 4 frequent plumbing problems that happen to Utah houses and buildings.
1. Frozen Pipes
Winters in Utah are especially frigid, and your pipes are in greatest danger when the temperature drops below freezing. Even if the pipes don’t burst, there’s a risk of the cold stiffening the grease and other buildup that sits in your drains, causing the water to take a long time to go down.
To minimize the odds of developing these problems, it’s important to take preventive measures. For example, make sure the home is kept above 45 degrees Fahrenheit, and be sure to insulate your pipes through the winter season. If that’s not possible or you plan to leave your home for an extended period, shut the water off completely while you’re gone.
2. Hard Water Buildup
Water is considered “hard” when it has at least seven grains per gallon of water, “very hard” when the amount exceeds 10.5 grains per gallon, and “extremely hard” when the ratio is over 15. In Utah, the average grain per gallon is 20, which means it has extremely hard water.
Over the years, pipes in Utah have been especially vulnerable to the side effects of long-term hard water exposure:
- Clogged drains: Hard water doesn’t directly cause clogs, but mineral deposits can adhere to pipes when combined with soap. This scum grows over time as hair and debris get caught in it.
- Leaky pipes: Mineral deposits and subsequent scale buildup can weaken your pipes, making it more likely that they’ll wear out and leak. Worse still, that can lead to property damage and mold growth.
- Scale buildup: With all the minerals passing through Utah’s water, substances like calcium and magnesium notoriously stick to pipes and create buildup. This reduces water pressure and can even clog drains.
3. Appliance Malfunctions
With reduced water pressure from scale buildup, your appliances that depend on it are less likely to function as well. That includes water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines, all of which will perform poorly without properly treating your pipes.
4. Septic Tank Problems
Finally, Utah residents might notice problems with their septic tanks in the winter thanks to important components freezing in the cold weather. This scenario can also lead to sewage backups, which is definitely a plumbing emergency!
The Bottom Line
It usually pays to be proactive, and the same is certainly true when it comes to your plumbing. Given the unique challenges that Utah’s climate presents, it’s important not to let a leaky faucet or clogged drain sit for too long without taking care of it. Otherwise, it can lead to expensive and unnecessary repairs.
