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’s officially time to prepare your home for the cooler air with these fall plumbing tips.
Remove Your Outdoor Water Hoses
To ensure your garden hose lasts another year, it is important to stow it away properly as the colder weather approaches. The water in outdoor faucets can freeze and expand if they are left connected during colder temperatures. This expansion can cause connected faucets and pipes to freeze and break. To help prevent this, simply disconnect your water hoses, drain them of any remaining water, and store the hoses in a dry area that will not reach freezing temperatures.
Check your Outdoor Faucets and Interior Water Shut-Off Valve
After you remove the hose, check the faucet for any leaks or drips that may need to be fixed. A leaking faucet can lead to water damage and severe plumbing issues during a freeze. Once your outdoor faucets are fully fixed, cover and insulate the faucets to avoid future issues. You may also have an interior shut-off valve in your home that is connected to outside faucets and plumbing. To avoid freezing, shut off the interior valve and open the outdoor faucet valve to ensure there is no remaining water in the line that could freeze.
Check Your Sewer System
Believe it or not, the roller coaster that is Maryland weather can overwork your sewer system. Warrior Plumbing highly recommends getting a camera inspection of your sewer line anytime you’ve been having problems with your plumbing system. There could be a break in your sewer line that may be causing issues you are unaware of. This is the type of home maintenance you’re best to stay ahead of. 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
As the weather turns colder, your water heater needs to work harder than usual. This is also the time of year when we Marylanders start pumping more hot water into our sinks, tubs, and showers to stay warm. With this increased activity, underlying issues can emerge. Faulty parts, sediment build up, or a bad storm can wreak havoc on your home’s water heater. Your home’s water heater should be flushed out regularly to avoid build up and prevent damage. To increase your water efficiency and save money on your utility bill this season, make sure to schedule your next water heater service with us!
Inspect Your Sump Pump
With hurricanes season upon us until November 30th, and our recent wet weather, ensure your sump pump is working properly. A sump pump is only activated when it is needed and is meant to pump water out of and away from your home to avoid flooding. It is often not obvious that your sump pump isn’t working properly until it is too late. If your sump pump is exposed to any extreme temperatures, it may freeze and be able unable to operate. Preventative sump pump maintenance allows your Warrior plumber to identify any issues before they cause any costly damage to your home. Your sump pump should be inspected regularly to ensure it works properly when it’s needed most.
In need of a Baltimore area professional plumber? Contact Warrior Plumbing and Heating
We’re here to make sure your plumbing system is prepared for the temperatures ahead! No job is too big or too small for our Warrior plumbers. Give us a call today at 443-967-3736 or schedule an appointment online here to stay ahead of the cooler weather.
