Fall will soon be here, and that means that it’s time to start thinking about your plumbing system as we head into the colder part of the year. It’s never too late to prepare your plumbing for the months ahead, so get ready to store those hoses away and get ready for the cold months to come with these five simple fall plumbing tips.
- Drain, Remove and Store Your Garden Hoses
It’s almost time to think about your garden hose and make sure that it’s ready to use next year. Start by disconnecting the hose, lay it out on the ground and make sure that all the water is fully drained away. Water can pool inside kinks in the pipe so pick up one end and go hand over hand along the length until you reach the end of the hose. Then carefully coil the garden hose, avoid any kinks to protect it and store it somewhere that doesn’t experience freezing temperature conditions. If a garden hose freezes and water is still in the pipe, it will freeze and expand, causing the hose to crack and break.
- Inspect and Turn Off the Hose Bibb
Because the hose bibb is located outside the home, it’s also subject to colder external temperatures that could cause damage. Turn off the hose bibb and the water supply line to remove all of the water from the pipes. If the hose bibb was leaking over the summer months, invest in a frost proof hose bibb, and get installed by a certified plumber before the first frost.
- Carry Out Annual Water Heater Maintenance
This is the ideal time of the year to get some annual water maintenance carried out. This is essential to extend the life of your water heater and improve energy efficiency for the colder months ahead. Most modern water heaters should last for 8-12 years, and you can be at the upper age of that useful lifespan with regular annual maintenance. A water heater flush will improve efficiency, and this will save money on your bills over the months to come.
- A Sewer System Inspection
Many homeowners don’t know that spring, fall, and winter months can overwork their sewer system, and it makes sense to get it checked at the end of summer. If you’ve experienced sewer issues in the past or you need some preventative maintenance, it’s time to schedule a sewer line inspection for your home.
- Check the Sump Pump
Along with fall comes the colder and wetter weather, so it’s important to make sure that your sump pump is in good working order. Remove any dirt or debris that could be clogged the outside pipe and check that the float is moving freely. A heavier storm could cause a power outage so you may want to install a battery back up power system to prevent flooding. If you’re not sure how to check your sump pump contact your
local certified plumber for expert help and advice.
By Giovanni Longo President Flood Brothers Plumbing
Giovanni Longo is a 3rd generation master plumber who has been practicing his craft and trade in the greater Los Angeles area for well over a decade and a half. A plumbing and hydraulics-engineering innovator, Giovanni’s particular world-class expertise focuses on dealing with challenging sewer system designs as well as resolving complex commercial and residential draining issues. As a certified Flood Mitigation expert, he is also well versed in a wide variety of water damage and remediation solution.
