Even a minor plumbing issue can set you back around $100, and a single inch of water causes on average around $11,000 in damages and repairs. Nobody wants to spend that amount of money, so you need to ensure your plumbing withstands the elements all year round. What does this entail, though, and how do you know you have done all you can?
This article will run through many of the most important steps you can take to keep your home and its contents safe over fall. Before you finish reading, you will also learn what a local plumber can do to help you protect your home moving forward.
Inspect Your Gutters
During the fall, leaves and other debris can start to collect in your gutter, causing both the overflow of water and damage to your pipes. For this reason, it is a good idea for you to ensure you clear out any buildup that might occur.
As you inspect the gutters, also check for cracks or leaks. You might even need to run some water through it from a hosepipe, to find drips. If any areas sag, especially when handling the weight of the water, you should repair them as soon as possible.
Check Your Home Plumbing for Leaks
Inspect every fixture and faucet in your home. Ensure they do not drip when closed, and secure any loose sections. You should also make sure to look behind toilets to see if any water leaks out of the back due to regular weight changes.
As you look at the pipes in your home, check for signs of moisture or any water stains, as this might suggest leaks at other times.
One way to work out if there is a hidden leak is to turn off all flowing water and see if your water meter still registers water running through the system. If it is, then it is escaping somewhere.
If you cannot find the leak or do not know how to resolve it, contact plumbing services who will check out the issue and fix it for you.
Protect Your Water Heater
Winter in and around Oklahoma City can get very cold, especially during the winter. This means your water heater will often be running at all times to keep you comfortable. As such, it is important to ensure it remains in good condition.
To take care of your heater, first consider wrapping an insulation blanket around it. This will preserve a lot of the heat, saving it from working too hard. You can also flush the full tank on occasion, helping to remove sediment from the bottom that may affect its performance.
Insulate Your Plumbing
Make sure you check areas you do not see very often. This includes places like your basement, attic, or crawlspace. Damage or leaks in these areas may occur for a long period without being found.
Also, check your external walls for drafts. If you find any gaps in your walls, seal them to prevent cold air from entering the home and affecting the plumbing.
Prevent Frozen Pipes
Ensure you keep your home warm at all times. At the very least, prevent the temperature from dropping below zero, so try to keep the heating on a little even when out of the home on colder days.
Another good tip is to leave faucets dripping overnight when the temperature drops. This will ensure the water is always moving, meaning it is less likely to freeze. If you worry about a drop keeping you awake, have a towel or other fabric draping from the tap to wick the water out instead.
You should also make sure you remove any hoses from outdoor faucets and drain them. This will prevent them from freezing and bursting the pipe when you next use it.
Check the Water Pressure
Use a pressure gauge to ensure the water pressure in your home is within the recommended range for your plumbing. If it is too high or too low, think about replacing the pressure regulator, or contact a plumber to prevent leaks from occurring.
Upgrade Your Fixtures
If you still have the same fixtures you had when you moved in, it might be time to upgrade. Look into and install items with higher-quality materials, as these will be much more durable and can often reduce the likelihood of leaks.
When you do discover a leaky faucet or another problem in your home, that is a perfect excuse to go and find a better one.
Test Your Sump Pump
Many homes in Sapulpa, Stillwater, and Oklahoma City used the opportunity of a new plumbing installation to attach a sump pump. If you have done the same, now is as good a time as any to test it. The last thing you want is for it not to work when you need it.
Remove Mold and Mildew
Check that your home plumbing is free from living things such as mold, mildew, or other fungi. Make sure to ventilate your home, to reduce the amount of steam buildup and ensure the environment is as harmful as possible to such growths.
Get Preventative Maintenance Performed
Schedule regular plumbing maintenance and inspection with a professional. If you need to find a “plumber near me” on Google or a similar site, make sure you choose one with a good reputation.
You could also investigate the possibility of a plumber who can offer a long-term maintenance plan. This will remove the need for you to remember to contact them and ensure they are available consistently.
Get Someone Else to Double-Check
Making sure your plumbing is safe for the fall, not to mention the winter, is always important. If you do not know what to look for, and want it done right, you can always call in a professional to help.
Advantage Plumbing Heating and Cooling has been around for almost 50 years and we have a lot of experience helping people in our community. We can discuss what you need to do to prevent leaks in your home. So, contact us to book our preventative maintenance service today, and let us ensure you have a safe fall and a warm winter.
