At Five Star Columbus Plumbing, we know the importance of preparing your home plumbing for the colder months ahead. Even though it is still fall season and is not quite winter weather, we always recommend taking advantage of the optimal weather conditions, not being too hot or too cold, to set your home and plumbing up for a successful season. So, without further ado, please keep reading the following tips and tricks to complete your fall plumbing maintenance checklist.
WHAT SHOULD BE ON YOUR FALL PLUMBING MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST?
Checklist Item #1: Check Your Faucets- Let’s start with your faucets! It’s important not just to leave any dripping faucets or leaks alone. Although you may not think it is a big deal, situations like this can become more significant problems later. And the last thing you want is for a larger problem to appear in the dead of winter, making it hard for a plumber to rectify an issue when the temperature is below freezing. Stay ahead of this by performing a walk-through of your home now, while the weather is ideal, and fix any leaks or drips accordingly. If the situation requires the attention of a trained professional, don’t delay calling a plumber so the issue can be taken care of before the weather gets really frigid.
Checklist Item #2: Have Your Water Heater Serviced- The water heater in your house tends to work even harder in the fall/winter to combat the colder temperatures. Per industry standards, your water heater should be serviced once a year minimum. So, if you can’t remember the last time your water heater was serviced, now would be a great time to consider doing so. A licensed plumber will inspect your water heater and make sure everything is functioning as it should be. Take our word for it; you don’t want to have to endure an ice-cold shower in the middle of winter due to a malfunctioning water heater when it definitely could have been avoided with a bit of preventive maintenance.
Checklist Item #3: Insulate Your Pipes- Pipe insulation! Many homeowners don’t know this is an option, but you can wrap your exposed pipes and plumbing fixtures in pipe insulation. This is especially beneficial if you have exposed pipes in an unheated space like a basement or garage. Burst pipes are a plumbing disaster we highly recommend avoiding at all costs. Luckily, pipe insulation kits are pretty affordable at any home improvement store. So, it’s definitely worth the small investment, in our opinion!
Checklist Item #4: Clean Your Sump Pump If Necessary- Just like your water heater, sump pumps should also be inspected and cleaned yearly. During the winter, sump pumps are prone to freezing due to low temperatures. So, it’s best to act now during the fall and have it checked to confirm everything is operating fine with no underlying issues.
Checklist Item #5: Disconnect Your Water Hoses- Fifthly, don’t forget about your garden hoses! They often get overlooked when other yard maintenance tools are put up for the season. But, if a garden hose were left outside, the water within it could freeze and expand, leading to more issues with your connecting outdoor fixtures and faucets.
Checklist Item #6: Clean Your Gutters Out- Last of all, let’s address those gutters! In the fall, loose leaves and other outdoor debris get caught and stuck in your house’s gutters! This can lead to unwelcome situations like unpleasant odors and cause over-flooding in your gutters. For this reason, we suggest clearing out your gutters.
We provide excellent customer service for residential plumbing in the Columbus, Ohio area. If you are currently in need of a local plumber you can trust, we’d be honored to take on all your plumbing needs. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact Five Star Columbus Plumbing today at (614) 401-8086 or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!
