As much as you don’t want to think about it, summer is sadly ending soon. Out with the long days and warm whether, in with the chilly winds and falling leaves.
As fall is ushered in with the changing of the leaves, you might start worrying about your plumbing. And you’re right to be concerned. The cold seasons of autumn and winter can wreak havoc on your home’s pipes if not properly taken care of before it starts snowing.
In order to protect your home’s plumbing season, follow these basic maintenance measures to keep your pipes working and your home safe all season long.
Take Care of Your Water Hose
One of the easiest ways for the cold weather to reach your inside pipes is through the outside pipes. If left unattended, it’s easy for the water in your hose to freeze, or even the pipes leading inside the freeze. This can block water from getting around your home and lead to a pipe bursting.
To avoid the cost of fixing your pipes, make sure to remove any hoses from outside and properly drain those outside. Also make sure to close off any valves for outside pipes, further protecting your home’s plumbing system.
Rake Your Leaves to Avoid Any Leaks
The fall season is well known for piles of brown leaves that cover every inch of land. While beautiful, they can cause headaches for your home.
These dead leaves can clog your gutters or outdoor drain pipes. Because of this, water can build up and cause leaks inside your home, or flooding in your yard. This is why it’s important to regularly clean the leaves in your yard.
Make sure to clear your gutters to allow water flow when it rains, and clear any leaves from drain pipes to stop potential flooding. When all of the trees near you have lost all their leaves, be sure to rake up as many leaves as you can to make your yard clear once the ice begins to thaw.
Protect Your Pipes
The worst thing cold weather can do to your home is freeze your pipes and cause them to burst. Not only does it cost a fortune to repair, but the property damage could be immense.
To keep your pipes safe during the cold months, regularly check for leaks in your plumbing system and fixtures inside and outside your house. Also make sure to cover your exposed pipes with insulation or heat tape.
Did You Forget Something?
If you’re like 115.6 million Americans, you most likely are planning on traveling this holiday season. While you may want to focus on packing or planning your vacation, it’s important to get your house to take care of itself while you’re gone.
As much as it might hurt, you should keep your heat on while you are away. This will keep your pipes from easily freezing while not in use, and is cheaper than paying for a burst pipe. Also make sure your water heater is working properly and can operate at 120℉ .
Finally, make sure to shut off the main water valve and drain every faucet before leaving your house for a long trip. Doing this along with the previous steps will ensure that no water is frozen in your plumbing system.
Don’t Be Left Out in the Cold
While all of this prep work will make your pipes less likely to freeze or burst, there are just some things you can’t account for in life. For all your plumbing emergencies, no matter the season, call on Mike Wilson Plumbing to get the job done.
We specialize in residential plumbing installations and repairs along with emergency maintenance services. If you’re in the Richmond, Chesterfield or Midlothian areas, call us at 804-641-6570.
Source:
https://newsroom.aaa.com/2019/12/aaa-says-115-6-million-travelers-will-break-holiday-records/
https://www.accurateleak.com/news/fall-home-maintenance/
https://www.rotorooter.com/blog/plumbing/fall-plumbing-tips/