Autumn is here, which means it’s time to put the pool toys away and
prepare for pumpkins, cool weather, and the holidays. Fall should be a
season full of fun, not worrying about our plumbing. Taking a few moments
to perform the following checks will help to avoid any plumbing nightmares
this fall:
Insulate Your Pipes
Just like you take the time to bundle your family up for the cold, you
should do the same for your pipes. A frozen pipe can happen overnight
and cause thousands of dollars of damage to your home. Installing pipe
insulation is the best way to keep your pipes warm and avoid a plumbing
emergency.
Inspect Your Water Heater
There’s nothing better in the fall and winter than coming home after
a long day and taking a nice, hot relaxing bath. To enjoy such simple
pleasures, your water heater will need to be fully operational.
Your water heater may need some extra TLC in the winter to allow it to
produce the proper amount of hot water your home needs. Before the weather
gets too cold, inspect your water heater for signs of wear and tear or
deterioration. Rust, puddles of water, and scale are all signs that your
water heater needs to be inspected professionally.
To prevent your unit from exploding, be sure to pay close attention to
your unit’s pressure relief valve. Additionally, your unit should
be flushed once annually to remove any unwanted sediment that could have
piled up, so if you haven’t made an appointment yet, you may want to now!
Turn Off Outdoor Plumbing
Wrap up those hoses and shut off your sprinklers! Outdoor plumbing can
be extremely helpful during the summer months, but it has little-to-no
use during the fall and winter. If a hose is left hooked up to an outdoor
faucet, water can freeze in the pipe and cause a lot of damage. You may
want to check for leaking hose bibs to prepare yourself for next season
and prevent wasting any water.
If you have
pipes outside your home, make sure to cover them with heat tape to help them work more
effectively and prevent your pipes from freezing.
Fix Any Leaks
During the summer months, we just want to spend as much time outside playing
and enjoying the warm weather. But when it’s time to head back inside
for the season, you may notice a few leaks or drips that you’ve
been putting off.
Did you know the average family can waste
180 gallons per week, or 9,400 gallons of water annually, from household leaks? Colder weather is usually associated with
higher heating costs, and no one wants to add a higher water bill to that
mix as well. Prevent spending more money on water this season by checking your
toilet, pipes, sinks, and showers for any leaks.
Left unchecked, a leak in your home can quickly turn into a flood. Leaky
toilets can rot your bathroom floor, causing the ceiling to collapse on
the level below. Additionally, a leaking faucet causes mold buildup beneath
the sink, which can be hazardous to your health.
A professional plumber can catch and address minor leaks before they lead
to major problems with proper maintenance.
Don’t Forget Your Sump Pump
If you’ve never had a problem with it, you may be wondering what
your sump pump even is and where it’s located. A sump pump eliminates
water that has pooled, and it’s what prevents your basement from
flooding during heavy rainfall. Check your sump pump and the pit where
it’s located to make sure it’s operating correctly. This will
help avoid any flooding brought on in the fall or winter.
You can ensure that your sump pump is clear and free of debris by inspecting
its discharge line. If you’re noticing a problem with the line,
be sure to call a plumber as soon as you can to repair or replace it.
Check Your Fixtures
While you are checking your home for any possible plumbing problems, it’s
best to give your
fixtures a once-over. Plumbing fixtures, such as faucets and
drains, can become clogged, causing water to back up. Check that the traps in
your sink are not corroded or deteriorated, your washing machine hoses
are working properly, and your toilet is running properly.
Note that if you believe your
faucet needs repair, rarely does the entire fixture need replacing. Here are some signs that
a full replacement may be necessary:
-
You discover obvious cracks in valve bodies.
-
Significant wear on older fixtures has led to repeated and unpreventable leaks.
-
You face regular problems with water flow and pressure.
-
The faucet pours out funky-smelling water—though this may be a deeper
internal issue.
A repair may not be as cost-effective as replacing the faucet. Trust our
team to offer honest advice when it comes to your Northern Virginia faucet repairs.
Make a Maintenance Appointment With My Plumber
When in doubt, call a professional plumber to check your home for any possible
problems or repairs. Did you know that
maintaining your system is arguably the most important thing you could do to preserve and make
the most of your investment in your home?
Keep the water running smoothly through your home’s pipes with the
help of our experienced Northern Virginia
plumbing
team. From clogs and leaks to
sewer and pipe repairs, My Plumber Heating Cooling & Electrical provides trusted service
to Manassas, Fairfax, Fredericksburg, and cities throughout Northern Virginia
and Maryland.
Contact us today
to schedule an appointment!
