It is hard to believe that summer is coming to an end. However, before the leaves change color and snowflakes begin to gall, it is time to prepare your plumbing for the colder months. Take the time now to prevent costly plumbing issues from happening this winter. Here are some seasonal tips to save you money this fall and winter.
Start With A Maintenance Checkup
Homeowners should schedule a routine plumbing checkup at least once a year. If you have not done so, fall is a great time to schedule one. Often, inspections can reveal protention issues before becoming a plumbing problem. If you are experiencing slow drains, clogged drains, lack of hot water, and more, it is time to call your plumber.
Fall Plumbing Tips
One of the biggest plumbing problems in the winter is frozen pipes. Cover or insulate pipes in unheated areas, including the garage, under the patio or deck, crawl spaces, and more. Protecting the pipes from the cold will prevent them from freezing and bursting.
Take a moment to clean out the gutters. Clean gutters will provide proper drainage. Clogged gutters; however, will prevent the removal of water away from the home. Water that puddles too close to the home’s foundation can cause leaks.
People tend to use more hot water in the winter than at other times. Fall is a good time to flush your water heater. Corrosion build-up can reduce the lifespan of the water heater. It can also reduce the amount of hot water it produces. Most water heaters have a faucet to attach a hose for draining.
Since most people stay indoors during the cold months, a home’s sewage system gets more use. Clear any leaves, twigs, or branches that have fallen or gathered near the sewage system. Remove all roots that have grown during the summer months.
Do not forget about the garden hoses. Make sure to drain all the water and put them away. Also, do not forget to insulate all outdoor faucets before winter. Exposed faucets not only let cold air get inside, but the pipes can also freeze and burst.
Prepare Your Home’s Pipes
Many winter home plumbing emergencies center around a burst pipe. Preparing your pipes for the cold months ahead only takes a few steps. First, if a pipe does burst, know where the shutoff valve is in your home. Besides insulating pipes in unheated areas, insulate the areas where they come into the house. Cover all faucets. Create a simple cover using paper covered in plastic. Many hardware stores carry facetcovers.
Keep kitchen and bathroom cupboards open to allow heat to get to the pipes when temperatures drop below freezing. Keep the water going through the pipes by turning faucets on to allow water to drip. If you leave the home for several days, keep the heat low to keep the pipes warm.
If your pipes freeze, warm them with a hairdryer or a heat lamp to slowly thaw them. Once the pipes are unfrozen, keep a slow drip of water going to keep them from refreezing. Never open the outside water meter. It could cause the water to freeze at the meter.
