Fall Plumbing Tips
Fall is here and it is time to start thinking about taking care of your plumbing before heading into the winter months. Many of us are still drying out from our recent rains, but it is never too early to prepare your plumbing for the changing seasons.
It is almost officially time to retire the garden hoses and prepare your home for the cooler air with these fall plumbing tips.
Remove, Drain and Store Garden Hoses
We want your garden hose to last another year, so it’s important that you properly stow it away. When the hose has been disconnected, drain the water and place it in an area of your home that will not reach freezing temperatures. Water that’s left over inside the hose can freeze and expand causing the hose to break!
Turn Off Your Hose Bibb
One of the most important tasks that you’ll need to do this season is to properly turn off your hose bibb and inside water supply line. Follow these step-by-step instructions to complete this. If you noticed that your hose bibb was leaking this summer, we advise that you invest in a frost-proof hose bibb before the first frost occurs. If a hose bibb isn’t properly turned off, water can freeze in the supply line, which can cause pipes to burst. To avoid any issues, give us a call today to complete any hose bibb installation or repair!
Check Your Sewer System
Believe it or not, the fall, winter and spring months can overwork your sewer system. If you have had any issues in the past or would like to have preventative maintenance completed, give us a call to schedule a sewer line inspection.
Complete Water Heater Maintenance
Annual maintenance is crucial to extend the life of your water heater. While most water heaters will last anywhere from eight to 12 years, water heater flushes tend to increase water efficiency and saves money on your future utility bills. If you want to increase water efficiency and save some money on your utility bill this season, schedule a water heater maintenance service with us!
Other Fall Plumbing Tips
Fall Plumbing Tips: What To Watch For
The children are back to school, leaves are falling from the trees and there’s now a nip in the air – fall has arrived! Along with the colder temperatures and the falling leaves, autumn brings with it some plumbing issues that may arise in your home. The following tips will help you rectify these problems, or solve them before they occur.
1) Frost.
The calendar may say it is October, but the weather may definitely make it feel like December. Ensure that you keep an eye on the weather forecast, especially overnight temperatures, for it may dip below zero on some nights. If the dreaded “0” – or even close to 0 – appears on your forecast, you should detach all hoses from your outside taps, as even a temperature of 0 can freeze your pipes when they are attached to a hose; yes, even those frost-free faucets! If you operate an underground sprinkler system, the pipes should be drained and turned off as well.
2) Hot water tank care.
As the weather gets colder, there is a good chance you will have to use your hot water tank for heat. As such, you should ensure that your hot water tank is working properly. This includes checking the bottom of the pan to look for water; if your tank is dripping or if there is water at the bottom, a plumber should be called as soon as possible to fix the problem.
3) Drain tiles.
Take a walk around your home, paying special attention to the drain tiles. Drain tiles are a perforated pipe that is then covered in gravel, which pipes excess water away from your home. During this inspection, clear away any leaves or debris from on or around the tiles, as this can cause the drain to overflow and possibly flood parts of your home and yard. Check the tiles for any damage as well, as these should be replaced or fixed before the snow flies.
4) Septic/sewer system.
The fall, winter and spring months can overtax your septic/sewer system, so the beginning of fall is a good time to call in a plumber to conduct maintenance and check for any future problems that may arise as the system gets more use. Fall is also a good time to drain your septic tank if you have one.
5) General maintenance.
Conducting general maintenance around your home, including inspecting for leaky faucets or other pipes, is generally a good idea as well. This way you can catch a problem before it becomes a disaster.