Top Plumbing Chores
Fall offers the perfect opportunity to prepare the home plumbing system for winter.
Fall offers the perfect opportunity to prepare the home plumbing system for winter. To avoid potentially disastrous outcomes, homeowners should ensure the pipes, faucets, and gutters can handle the ensuing cold weather. These routine maintenance tasks can prevent various plumbing problems and help homeowners save time and money. Please keep reading to learn about the necessary plumbing chores to put on a fall to-do list.
Check for leaks and drips
As the weather gets colder, pipes get more vulnerable to freezes, especially if they’re already leaking. So, homeowners should thoroughly inspect all the indoor and outdoor faucets, plumbing fixtures, and pipes, looking for signs such as water stains and spots. If they discover faulty objects, such as a dripping faucet or a running toilet, they should immediately call a plumber and arrange the necessary repairs.
Insulate your pipes
Insulating the pipes in fall will prevent winter freezes from damaging them. Homeowners should primarily focus on the most vulnerable ones. These include pipes in unheated areas such as the shed, garage, or the outside wall.
Clear out the gutters and drains
Homeowners should clear the gutters and drains several times during fall to ensure a constant free flow. A gutter shovel should do the trick for fallen leaves and debris. However, clearing bigger objects or potential clogs will require professional assistance.
Clogs can be hazardous since they can cause a crack in the sewer line. During winter, even the most minor cracks can become a nightmare. They can lead to a pipe bursting and wreak havoc on the entire plumbing system.
Disconnect the outdoor water systems
When winter hits, homeowners will no longer need any of the outdoor water systems. To prevent unnecessary damage and ensure the systems are operational the following year, homeowners should do the following:
Clean out the sprinkler pipes using an air compressor and disconnect the sprinkler system
Shut off the pool pump, drain it, and store it securely
Drain the garden hose and put it away
Cover all the outdoor faucets with insulated wraps
Drain the water heater
Draining the water heater in the fall will prevent harmful sediment build-up and rusting in winter. Furthermore, it will increase the heater’s service life and efficiency, keeping the showers nice and hot during those freezing days.
Kindly note that this process can be dangerous due to the scalding hot water inside the heater. Therefore, homeowners should leave it to a professional plumber.
Check the sump pump
Homeowners with a sump pump in the basement should test it in the fall to see if it works correctly. A functioning sump pump has a lower chance of freezing during winter. Any dampness or foul odors around the pump are a sign to call in a professional plumber.
Hire a professional
Homeowners who want to prepare for winter adequately should hire a professional plumbing service. They will have the necessary knowledge, experience, and tools to perform all the required maintenance tasks efficiently and promptly.
Evenflow Home Services has earned a strong reputation for providing comprehensive residential and commercial plumbing services. Emergency services available. Call today at (210) 941-3503.
