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Plumbing Tips for Winter

Winter is tough on a lot of things in our lives. Our vehicles, schedules and peace of mind can all take a beating. Plumbing is another aspect that is heavily affected by winter's freezing temperatures, howling winds and unpredictability. We've put together some tips to help protect your home's plumbing system and tricks on how to handle the unexpected.

burst-frozen-plumbing-heating-emergency-repair-columbia-ct Burst plumbing mess in Columbia CT

Preventative winter plumbing tips

  • Keep the heat up. It's tempting to conserve on energy costs and turn the thermostat way down when you aren't home or when you're sleeping. However, it won't be much of a savings if a pipe bursts! Keep your thermostat set at at least 68 degrees. This will also keep your heating system running more efficiently. It won't have to work so hard, especially when the temps dip, to bring your home back up to temp.
  • Disconnect outside hoses. If you haven't already done so, do it now! Any water left in a hose will freeze. Once it freezes, it expands and will lead right up into the spigot. Eventually, it will run out of room to expand and burst the plumbing pipe.
  • Schedule cleanings. Be sure to keep up with regular furnace and chimney cleanings, as well as burner service. Vacuum pet hair and dust from your baseboard heat registers. Routine maintenance prevents emergency repairs AND keeps your loved ones safe. Carbon monoxide deaths are highest in the winter.
  • Check fuel levels. Auto delivery is great but don't depend on it. It's only based on an estimation of what you will use. There may be a hard freeze that lasts for days, and you'll burn through more oil than you think. Plumbing pipes can burst if you run out of oil in the middle of the night, and the heat shuts off.
  • Run faucets at a drip. Does your plumbing run on an outside wall? If the forecast calls for a deep freeze, open up those faucets. Running both the hot AND the cold sides at the slightest drip will prevent your plumbing pipes from freezing. It should not run your well dry or run up your water bill excessively. The cost is *TINY* compared to a plumbing bill.

Emergency plumbing tips

  • Do NOT use a blow torch. If you suspect that you have a frozen pipe, do NOT use an open flame source to thaw it. The best way to thaw a frozen pipe is to do it LOW AND SLOW. A hair dryer is a great tool. If the pipes are in a cabinet, open up the doors to let your home's heat circulate around them. Run the faucets, so that when the water does thaw, it has somewhere to escape.
  • Know where your shut-off valve is. If a plumbing pipe bursts, you need to shut the water off to your home to keep damage at a minimum. This video will show you what the shut-off valve may look like and how to use it. Most shut-offs are in a basement or utility room.
  • Call a professional. The first rule of DIY is to know when you're in over your head. Calling a professional can mean a quicker, lasting repair. When gas is involved, a professional should always be contacted.

Your local emergency plumber

We hope these tips and tricks help you prepare your home's plumbing for the winter season and you've learned how to handle a plumbing emergency. Rapid Service LLC is available for emergency plumbing repair service, such as: burst pipe, frozen pipe, no heat, no water, frozen water line, frozen heat line and so much more. We are also still scheduling routine plumbing repair, such as: clogged toilet, slow drain, leaking water heater, well pump, sump pump and clogged drain. We are located in Columbia CT and provide emergency service to Eastern Connecticut towns. We can be reached by calling 860-228-1036. You will always speak to a customer service representative, never a machine. You can read feedback from some of our customers HERE.

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When you need an emergency plumbing, heating and electrical, you can count on Rapid Service. With teams in multiple locations, we can be at your door fast. Call Rapid Service To
860-337-7099

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When you need a plumber, electrician or boiler technician in Connecticut, choose Rapid Service and experience their First Class customer care. Providing a red carpet service since 1987.

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We will provide you with the full cost up-front - for your ease of mind.

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We have teams on-call across Connecticut in fully stocked vehicles with spare parts and tools to perform emergency repairs.

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Delighting Customers Every Day

  • My thank you seems so small compared to what you have done for me. Your generosity overwhelms me. the faucet is so attractive - I love it! You made my Christmas really merry.

    S. Bombria

    Thank you!!! Rapid Service did a wonderful job transforming 1920s bathrooms in our house. We cannot say enough about the quality and attention to detail of each of these projects.

    Anthony Power
  • The guys at Rapid Service did a whole "make-over" of my son's bathroom in East Hartford in March, 2014. They did a fantastic job - were there when they said they would be, were easy to contact, completed the job in a reasonable time...

    Sue Rissanen

    I had to call my handyman husband Rapid Service yet again! Andy and his crew are the most professional and down to earth people you will ever meet. My husband and I had a house built seven years ago and have had various issues with water, electrical and heating...

    Lisa M.
  • My wife and I own and operate a Bed & Breakfast in our home in Scotland, CT. For a number of years we have used Rapid Service for all our electrical, plumbing, and heating needs. Most recently we had Rapid Service replace a malfunctioning kick heater in our Guest Game Room...

    Bruce & Georgia Stauffer

    I had Rapid Service come to my home because there was a saddle valve under my kitchen sink that was about to make a huge mess. I wasn't able to use my filtered water faucet until the repair was made. The technician fixed it AND had a great attitude while he worked. That is a rare thing lately...

    Kevin S.
  • Great work on replacing my well water tank, Andy. You have been giving us highly competent, clean, and courteous service for the past 28 years. You're the best!"

    Gerald Baril

    My wife and I want you to know that we were very satisfied with our bathroom remodeling that Andy performed professionally, carefully and efficiently. The end result is a bathroom that is properly updated, functions perfectly and looks very attractive...

    Curt F. Beck
Rapid, On-Time

Rapid, On-Time

We are ready for any emergency service, at your location, FAST.

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Same Day Service

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Tidy Technicians

Tidy Technicians

Your technician will use our red carpet mats to cover work areas. We also clean up before leaving.

Friendly Service

Friendly Service

Our technicians will treat you with care and respect, providing you a customer service you'll enjoy.