The cool weather is making it’s way into the area and that means it is time for some plumbing maintenance tips. Fall and Winter weather can wreak havoc on your home plumbing system if you don’t maintain it correctly.
There are some simple things you can do at home, but some items need to be left to the professional. Before it gets too cold, schedule a routine plumbing maintenance appointment today!
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Here are a few tips to get you started:
Water Heater
It’s very important that you keep your hot water heater from freezing. The best way to do this is to purchase an insulating blanket and wrap your water heater starting in the fall. You can find these blankets at most home improvement stores and they are very easy to use. It would also be useful to drain your water heater so sediment won’t build up and cause rust.
Check Your Appliances
Most homeowners forget about the appliances they have in their homes that use water, like the dishwasher, refrigerator and washing machine. All of these appliances should be checked for leaks on a regular basis, most importantly, before the freezing temperatures arrive.
Insulate Windows and Doors
Check all windows and exterior doors for leaks and seal them immediately. Sealing leaks will prevent heat from escaping, keep your home warm and energy costs down.
Keep Your Home Warm
Always keep your home temperature above 55 degrees to help prevent pipes from freezing, even when you are gone for extended periods of time. If you do leave for more than a week and temperatures are below freezing, open your cabinet doors under any sinks and faucets so warm air can circulate.
Inspect Basement & Crawl Spaces
Check all exposed pipes that lie along exterior walls, in basements and crawl spaces. If any of the pipes will be exposed to freezing temperatures, make sure they are insulated well.
Clear the Gutters
Gutters should be cleaned regularly, but most especially during the fall and winter months when leaves tend to gather in them. If leaves clog the gutters and freeze, there is no drainage for the water throughout the winter and can cause back ups as well as ruin your gutters.
Exterior Faucets
All exterior faucets should be shut off during the fall and remember to drain all outdoor hoses as well as open taps you may have.
Sprinkler System
If you have a sprinkler system, don’t forget to have it drained and shut off for the winter. There are several ways to do this and most often should be done by a professional to keep from ruining your system.
Holiday Cooking
During your holiday cooking, remember not to pour oil and grease down the drains. This can coat your pipes and cause clogs, which in turn, can freeze. You should also make sure your garbage disposal is working correctly and has no clogs or buildup by running it several times with quite a bit of water. This way, you can catch a clog before it becomes a problem.
Sump Pump Inspection
If you have a sump pump, it’s very important to have it cleaned and inspected at least twice a year. The backup of a sump pump can cause major floods in your home if it freezes.
This is a list of the most important maintenance issues you should take care of in the fall and winter. As stated before, some can be done by yourself, but to fully protected during the cold winter months, you should schedule a maintenance inspection with us today online or give us a call at 704-338-1385.
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