Preparing your home plumbing system for cooler weather is essential as summer progresses to fall. Temperature changes can impact your home’s plumbing, so taking preliminary measures now can save you time and stress later in the season. We’ve compiled several ways to help you get your home’s plumbing system ready for the coming winter months.
1. Outdoor Faucets and Hoses
It is important to drain and inspect all of your hoses and outdoor faucets. If there is water left lingering in hoses, it can turn into ice and cause damage to hoses, faucets, and pipes in your home. Leaving hoses attached to the spigot traps water inside, where it may freeze and expand, bursting pipes or the hose itself. After disconnecting the hoses, store them in a dry, covered location to protect them. Another thing you can do is shut off the water supply to the outdoor faucets and drain the line of any remaining water to keep it from freezing. One of our plumbers can inspect this part of your plumbing to ensure it isn’t a potential freezing hazard to your pipes.
2. Drain and Insulate Outdoor Pipes
If you have outdoor pipes on your property, they are very vulnerable to cold weather, so it is essential to protect them. Completely drain pipes so there isn’t any water left inside to freeze. Frozen water in an outdoor pipe quickly results in the potential for burst pipes. Having the outdoor pipes at your home insulated by our team helps keep your home safe from the coldest parts of winter, so you have the convenience of working plumbing daily. Foam faucet covers, pipe insulation foam, and backflow preventer cover insulation are an excellent source of protection for outdoor plumbing.
3. Water Leak Detection
Fall is the best time to inspect the house for leaks that can turn into major plumbing problems during the cold months. Look for signs of moisture, rust, or droplets of water dripping somewhere on visible pipes: under the sinks, behind toilets, or in the basement.
Apart from visible leaks, you also need to be on the lookout for invisible leaks. Because you may not be able to detect these smallest leaks, you should carefully monitor your water bill. If there is a sudden rise, have us come to inspect your home for any signs of leaks. We will repair any leaks before winter so you can have peace of mind knowing that your home’s plumbing is healthy.
4. Sump Pump Check
If you have a sump pump installed in your home, you already know it can be your last line of defense against rising water in your basement if your home starts to flood. Since fall is a season of increased rainfall, it would pay to ensure your sump pump works well before the wet weather sets in. Have your sump pump tested so that you know it is ready for any upcoming storms coming through the area this fall. Also, consider having a battery backup for your sump pump so it continues working if your power goes out in a heavy rainstorm.
5. Have Your Home’s Water Heater Serviced
When the weather is cold, your water heater must work extra to supply hot water. Schedule a service with us to inspect your water heater and ensure it continues running smoothly. We will inspect it for any wear, like rust or corrosion.
One of the common problems associated with water heating is sediment accumulation. With continued use of mineral-rich water, sediment tends to deposit at the bottom of the heater tank. Over time, this can make the heater less efficient and can lead to damage. Flushing the tank removes these deposits, improving the heater’s performance and lifespan.
While we inspect the water heater, it’s a good idea to check the settings. Lowering the temperature to about 120 degrees helps prevent scalding and conserves energy. Replacing your water heater will always improve efficiency and reliability for older systems.
6. Have Indoor Pipes in Unheated Areas Insulated
Pipes in a cold area, such as an unheated basement, attic, or garage, will be at greater risk of freezing during the colder months. When they do freeze, they can burst and cause a good deal of water damage that is usually very expensive to repair or replace personal property.
Pipe insulation comes in several materials: foam, fiberglass, and others. The former is quick to set around exposed pipes, and other forms of wrapping pipes are also available. Apart from inhibiting freezing, insulation maintains the water temperature inside the pipes, reducing the energy consumed to perform the same work and hence improving overall efficiency. Ask us what insulation works best for the exposed pipes in your home when we do your fall maintenance check!
7. Have Your Sewer System Inspected
Fall is an excellent time to inspect and service your sewer system. Tree roots grow into sewer lines, causing blockages that result in home backups. In addition, heavy rain in the fall season may overstress your sewers, increasing the risk of overflows.
Clogged sewer lines caused by tree roots or other debris are a major problem. An inspection of your sewer lines detects blockages, tree root intrusions, and other potential problems. Aside from inspecting the sewer lines, educating your household about what shouldn’t go down the drains is important to protect the sewer system from major clogs. Proper maintenance and care help ensure the sewer system for your home remains trouble-free throughout the fall and winter.
8. Prepare for Emergencies
Even with careful preparation, plumbing problems sometimes are inevitable because, in most cases, they arise during the cooler seasons. Preparing your home and yourself for emergencies makes it easier to limit damage and respond faster. Begin first by locating the main shut-off valve of your water supply in your home. Knowing where this valve is and how to operate it can save thousands of dollars in extensive water damage if you have a line break or a major leak.
Knowing where the shut-off valve is and how to turn it off is very important, and calling us for professional help with your plumbing system in the winter can help resolve the emergent problem as quickly as possible. If the power goes out during a plumbing emergency, you may not know what to do, so it is essential to plan for potential emergencies. Start by placing flashlights in areas throughout the home that are easy to get to so you can use them to shut off the water, for instance.
John Henry's Plumbing, Heating, Air, and Electrical Will Help You Get Your Plumbing Ready for Fall
At John Henry's Plumbing, Heating, Air, and Electrical in Omaha, NE, we provide hydro jetting, drain cleaning, sewer line repair, and more services for homes in the area. Our friendly team also provides electrical, heating, cooling, and commercial HVAC and plumbing. Contact John Henry's Plumbing, Heating, Air, and Electrical for more information about our services and how we can help you plan to protect your plumbing this fall and winter.
