As beautiful as autumn can be, it’s also a harbinger of “you know what”. It’s the latter you want to be ready for to prevent problems inside and outside your home.
So, to help ensure winter doesn’t get any help from you, here are several plumbing and other household maintenance tips you’ll want to tackle this and every fall:
- Disconnect, drain, and store outdoor hoses.
- Drain the water from outdoor faucets and spigots and shut off their water valves.
- Wrap exterior faucets with specially designed insulation. You can find these kits at home improvement stores.
- Inspect exposed water pipes for corrosion and leaks, and repair as necessary.
- Insulate exposed pipes in unheated areas like your garage, crawl spaces, and basement.
- Check your sump pump and clean the pit if necessary. If the pump freezes, it will stop working which can create a big mess and cause damage.
- Seal cracks and gaps in walls where pipes enter your home.
- If you have hard water, sediment and rust can build up inside your water tank and damage heating elements, potentially causing tank failure. Draining your water heater will help protect it from damage and resulting repairs.
- Clean your gutters and downspouts to prevent ice dams which can cause your gutters to collapse. Ice dams also can damage your rough tiles and, when the ice melts, water can seep inside your attic or living space.
The more you prepare for winter, the fewer problems you can expect. That means greater comfort, convenience…it also means saving money on unnecessary repairs. For assistance in preparing your home plumbing for winter, contact Norhio Plumbing today.
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