Cooler temperatures and colorful foliage will soon signal fall’s arrival, and you’ll want to start to prepare your house. The frigid weather ahead can affect your home’s plumbing network because low temperatures cause pipes’ water to expand and contract. These tips for your system can help you avoid costly and inconvenient plumbing repairs this season.

Fall Plumbing Maintenance Checklist 

1. Put Away Garden Hoses 

If you leave hoses connected, any water that remains inside will freeze and expand as the temperatures drop. Subsequently, leftover water damages the valve, which may cause your indoor faucets and pipes to freeze and break. 

2. Insulate Exposed Pipes 

Burst pipes are leading causes of plumbing repairs during chilly months. Any exposed pipes can freeze and break. Pipes in unheated areas, such as a basements, crawl spaces, or garages, should be insulated with sleeves, fiberglass, or insulation tape to keep them warm throughout fall and winter.

3. Inspect Sump Pumps

A sump pump prevents your basement from flooding due to heavy rains or melting snow. However, it can’t move water out of the home if it freezes. You can prevent this by insulating the pipe with heat tape. 

4. Schedule Water Heater Service 

Your water heater works harder in winter, so fall is an excellent time to make sure it’s operating at peak performance. Your contractor will drain and flush the tank to eliminate sediment buildup, and they will check to make sure the pressure relief valve functions correctly. If they detect any problems, they’ll be able to handle plumbing repairs before further issues develop.

If you discover that your plumbing system has worn or damaged parts while going through your fall maintenance routine, turn to Withamsville Winnelson for quality replacements. They carry a large selection of products to help take care of any plumbing repairs. Any product they don’t stock, they can source from one of their 600 locations. Since 1997, they’ve served Cincinnati, OH, homeowners looking for exceptional plumbing solutions. Call (513) 753-1121 to inquire about their current inventory or visit them online for more information about what they offer.