With its milder temps, beautifully colored leaves, fire pits and cozy sweaters, and all things pumpkin, what’s not to love about fall? Yet with the knowledge that winter isn’t far behind, ignoring some simple tasks no could spell big trouble down the road, especially when it comes to flooding and Water Damage.
Here are a few ways to prevent all that.
Check your pipes. Check exposed and accessible plumbing pipes and exterior faucets for signs of damage, cracking, or aging. Even the tiniest crack can result in a damaging leak. Insulate pipes in unheated areas of your home and winter-proof spigots, hoses, and underground sprinkler systems.
Thoroughly clean your gutters. Clogged gutters can cause rainwater to overflow and drain towards your foundation instead of being directed away from it. What’s more, ice dams can form in the winter months, preventing snowmelt from draining properly. This can cause damage to your roof and siding, and water to enter your home.
Test the downspouts. Once the gutters are clear, make sure the downspouts are draining properly and directing water away from your home. Install downspout extensions if need be and position them away from walkways. If downspout water should pool and freeze, it can become a slip and fall hazard.
Tackle the landscaping. Trim tree branches, shrubs, and flower bushes so they are not encroaching on your house. Under ideal circumstances, the area around you should slope away from the foundation, not towards it.
Take a walk. Not just through the park, but around your home. Look for signs of damage to your roof, siding, and foundation and schedule repairs, as necessary.
Test the sump pump. The worst time to find out your sump pump isn’t working properly is when water starts coming into your basement. Have your pump inspected and tested annually. Also, consider installing a battery back-up pump which will signal the latter pump to turn on if the main pump should shut off for any reason, including the loss of electrical power.
If you think your home can use some help in bracing itself for winter, call on the home plumbing pros at Norhio Plumbing for all the help you need. And remember – it’s always better to be prepared than to wonder why you weren’t.
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