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Winter Drain Care: How Cold Weather Affects Your Plumbing in Melbourne
Melbourne’s winter can be tough on pipes our plumbing experts share practical tips to prevent damage before it strikes.
Everyone likes to joke about Melbourne’s four-seasons-in-a-day weather. Even in winter, a crisp morning can be followed by a sunny afternoon, but did you know that this time of year is when your plumbing system is often its most vulnerable?
Because of our temperate climate, winter plumbing problems have the tendency to creep up slowly. Cold mornings bring additional moisture and condensation, which affects the efficiency of your hot water system and can make metal components more prone to rust. Add in the extra rainfall we usually get through the end of winter and early spring, and your drainage system is suddenly under a whole lot of pressure.
With that said, you don’t have to stand idly by and wait for these issues to get out of hand. To help out, we’ve compiled a quick list of winter drain care tips so that you know what to do, what to look for, and how to react when something goes wrong!
How Cold Temperatures Affect Your Pipes
Pipes are the heart of your plumbing system, which means they’re also the starting point for a variety of different issues.
When temperatures drop, pipes tend to contract. It’s a simple physical reaction, but over time, constant expansion and contraction (especially between warm days and cold nights) adds additional unneeded stress on older plumbing materials. Even modern pipework isn’t immune, particularly if it’s exposed to the elements or wasn’t installed with seasonal shifts in mind.
Microscopic fractures are another troublesome byproduct of this phenomenon, and can develop in either copper or PVC pipes. These tiny cracks may not leak straight away, but they create weak points that will eventually lead to problems, particularly under pressure. This is where winter makes itself known. Even if your plumbing holds together, you might notice dripping taps, odd water pressure changes, or gurgling sounds from drains that are struggling to cope.
Worried about the state of your plumbing system? With upfront pricing, all work guaranteed, and reliable same-day services across Melbourne, MCN is the team to call. So, if you’ve got a general plumbing issue and need a local plumber in Brighton, or help with blocked drains in Thomastown, we’re available citywide!
Grease Build-Up in Kitchen Drains
One of the more underrated winter culprits is grease. During the colder months, we tend to cook more hearty meals like thick soups, which often means more oils and fats go down the kitchen sink. While these may seem harmless when washed away with hot water, they don’t stay hot for long.
As the grease cools inside the pipes, it starts to harden and congeal. Over time, this builds up along the pipe walls and catches other food scraps, creating a stubborn clog. Unlike summer, where heat helps keep oils a bit more mobile, winter causes them to stick.
You might notice your kitchen sink draining more slowly or even backing up completely. If left unchecked, a clogged drain can easily escalate into a full blockage or serious overflow and water damage.
Laundry, Plumbing, and Cold Water Usage
Washing clothes in cold water has become the norm for many people trying to save on power bills. However, when paired with colder outside temperatures, it actually creates an ideal scenario for sluggish laundry drains.
If your laundry plumbing has shallow pipework (especially in older homes or ground-level extensions), colder ground temperatures may slow down water flow and encourage blockages. Why? Soap scum, lint, and other debris all stick more easily to cold pipe walls, making it harder for your washing machine to drain properly.
In some cases, you might notice your washing machine not emptying fully or drainage taking longer than usual. It’s subtle, but over time, these minor issues can signal a blockage forming deeper down the line.
Burst and Damaged Pipes: Yes, It Can Still Happen
Burst pipes are often associated with freezing conditions, so you might think Melbourne is off the hook. Not quite! While we don’t typically see water freezing in the lines, the repeated cycle of expansion and contraction still affects the integrity of your pipes.
Metal pipes are particularly susceptible. The colder the pipe gets, the more brittle it can become (especially if it’s already old or damaged). When water flows through a pipe under pressure, any existing weakness can split open. This is why you sometimes hear of sudden pipe bursts during winter, particularly on very cold mornings.
Unfortunately, these issues won’t always make themselves known straight away. You might have a slow leak forming behind a wall or under your floorboards. Either way, it might only become apparent once you see water damage or mould forming inside your home.
If burst or leaking pipes are affecting your property, get on the line and we’ll send an experienced plumber out right away! Our plumbers serve all areas of Melbourne and offer same-day services with a $0 callout fee.
Drainage Systems Struggling with Rainfall
Melbourne’s winters aren’t just cold, they’re wet. Heavy rainfall is common in winter and early spring, and it puts your stormwater and sewer systems under pressure. If your drains haven’t been cleaned or maintained, the combination of rain and debris can lead to slow drainage or even flooding around your home.
Stormwater drains blocked with leaves, silt, or old tree roots are a common winter problem. As water builds up with nowhere to go, it can pool around foundations, backflow into gutters, or seep into underground pipework.
Tree roots are especially active after a long dry spell followed by sudden rain. The roots seek moisture and can easily enter small cracks in your pipes, growing and spreading until they create full blockages or break the pipe entirely.
Don’t allow drainage issues to get in the way of life at home or work!. Get on the line to us and connect with the leading blocked drains experts in Melbourne. We respond to your plumbing emergencies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!
Rust and Corrosion from Moist Conditions
Humidity and dampness rise during winter, especially after rainfall or in homes with poor ventilation. This moisture can affect metal fixtures such as taps, showerheads, and even the components of your hot water system.
Rust is a slow, creeping issue that can cause leaks, contaminated water, and weakened structural integrity in your plumbing. Hot water systems in particular are vulnerable, especially if they’re located outdoors or in exposed areas without adequate weather protection.
Rust and mineral build-up can also shorten the life of your heater, leading to reduced performance or a complete system failure just when you need it most.
How to Avoid Cold-Weather Plumbing Problems
Melbourne winters don’t need to turn into plumbing disasters. Most cold-weather issues are preventable with some basic maintenance and good habits:
- Flush kitchen drains with hot water: Especially after cooking, to prevent fats from hardening in your pipes.
- Switch to warm water for laundry: It reduces the chances of drainage issues and helps your system stay cleaner.
- Clear out stormwater drains and gutters: Before the heavy rain hits, remove leaves and debris to improve flow and reduce overflow.
- Insulate exposed pipework: Particularly in older homes or uninsulated areas like garages or under the house.
- Check your hot water system: Look for signs of rust or leaks and consider professional servicing before winter kicks in.
- Get regular plumbing inspections: A plumber can identify microfractures or slow leaks that aren’t visible until it’s too late.
When to Call in a Professional
Some issues are easy to prevent with basic upkeep and regular maintenance, but others will almost always need a trained eye. Professional plumbers have the right tools (like CCTV drain cameras and leak detectors) to accurately locate these problems before they escalate and end up costing you a bundle!
Reach out to us straight away if you notice any plumbing issues shown below:
- Unexplained spikes in your water bill
- Low or fluctuating water pressure
- Unusual smells coming from drains
- Water stains on walls or ceilings
- Gurgling sounds or slow drainage
These signs might not scream “emergency”, but they usually indicate something brewing in your plumbing that needs to be addressed before it worsens.
Don’t Let Winter Take a Toll on Your Plumbing: Call MCN Now
From blocked kitchen sinks to weather-worn pipes, staying proactive is the best way to keep your system healthy through winter, spring, summer, and autumn. A little prep and extra awareness are all it takes to keep everything running smoothly, no matter what our climate throws at us.
So, if you’re looking to safeguard your home’s plumbing this winter, reach out to a local expert who knows Melbourne’s climate inside and out.
At MCN Plumbing, we’re always ready to provide seasonal maintenance, emergency response, and expert advice to help your plumbing system weather the cold.
