Preparing Your Plumbing for the Fall Season
Halloween costumes, apple cider, hay rides, and colorful leaves are around the corner. The end of summer is near and lower temperatures are on their way. While the fireplace, a good book, and your favorite cup of tea is sure to please, overlooking the plumbing in our homes for the change in weather can bring grief to our cozy days. Here are a few tips to help ensure a smooth transition into the new season.
Outside Pipes
-Garden hoses should be disconnected, drained, and put away in the garage or shed. The hose faucets should be shut off in the home if an isolation valve is present. Draining this small section of piping is also a good idea if practical. Lawn irrigation should be shut down, RPZ’s removed, and lines blown out. Any water lines on the outside of the home or garage need to be disconnected and drained.
Sealing Openings
-Any holes or cracks where cold air can infiltrate the home should be sealed. A foam spray on the inside can be used along with a silicone caulk on the outside. Even the smallest openings can allow a draft to enter and possibly freezing a water line.
Drain Maintenance
-If any drain or sewer is slow draining or has been blocked in the past, it should be rodded. Too often we find a backed-up drain or sewer in the colder months to be compounded by the siting water in the pipe has now frozen. Most times there is no solution to this but to wait till the temperature rises and the dirty water melts, which could be several days.
Water Heaters
-Typically, our water heater temperatures will be turned up to offset the drop in outside temperature. Not having a well-maintained water heater could lead to costly repairs. At the minimum, a flush and inspection should be done.
Sump Pumps
-Don’t forget those sump pumps will still be running in the fall. Although not as much rain and colder temperatures, there still is groundwater (water table) that naturally exists. The ground stays warm enough to keep that water flowing which could be an issue if your sump pump does not operate properly. Also, be sure that your discharge pipe on the outside of your home has proper pitch and does not hold any water. This has the potential to freeze in lower temps.
All it takes is a few short steps to check and verify all the above-listed items during the fall. By checking these components now, you’ll avoid a lot of potential issues once the weather starts to get really cold. If you run into a problem, schedule a call with S and J Plumbing at 847-890-1599.