Family-Owned Plumbing and Heating Company Shares Tips for Home Service Maintenance
A family-owned plumbing business has a strong community connection and prioritizes building strong relationships.
The plumbers know the common problems that homeowners deal with in the area due to the region’s climate and housing infrastructure. Because they develop an understanding of customer needs, they can deliver tailored solutions.
Most recommend that the plumbing system be checked twice each year with the fall being an ideal time since winter is close. Checking it now gives you time to take care of developing problems to be fully prepared for the cold season.
Let’s move forward to finding more tips from family-owned plumbing and heating companies for fall home service maintenance.
Fall Plumbing To‑Do List — From Your Family‑Owned Local Experts
Family-owned plumbing companies like Befort Plumbing and Heating advise customers to maintain their plumbing systems in the fall in particular as a preventive to temperatures steadily dropping with winter approaching. Fall is the time to prepare for harsh weather to follow.
Consider the following tips shared by family-owned plumbing companies for proper fall prep.
Water hoses should be drained and disconnected
An essential home plumbing maintenance tip is to check that the outdoor water hoses are drained and disconnected. If they are left connected when the cold weather sets in, the water inside the hose will freeze and expand.
Expansion can cause faucets and connected pipes inside the house to freeze and burst. To help prevent this, the hoses should be drained of any water left in the hose and disconnected. They should be stored in a dry space before the cold temperatures arrive.
Check on outdoor water faucets
Once the hoses are disconnected, the faucets should be inspected for drips or leaks. Fall is the time to take care of these issues. A leaking faucet can lead to severe plumbing concerns during a freeze and water damage.
The EPA – Environmental Protection Agency offers quick home plumbing tips that guide homeowners on catching problems early, keeping water flowing like it should, and maintaining low repair bills – Home Maintenance | US EPA.
Once the faucet is in good working condition, cover and insulate it with a Styrofoam kit to prevent freezing. If the spigot isn’t drained, outdoor pipes that freeze are prone to burst, leading to potential damage to the house exterior, the foundation, and landscaping.
With proper inspection and winterizing, you can prevent leaks and damage from the faucets.
Find and seal gaps to prevent air infiltration
In areas where pipes enter the home, it’s common that gaps will develop between the pipes and the walls over time. The gaps give cold air access, severely impacting utility costs and causing pipes to eventually freeze.
Plumbers recommend that homeowners take time to inspect the areas where pipes enter the house and seal the gaps with caulk, weather stripping, or insulation.
Sump pump insulation
Sump pumps that are exposed to extreme temperatures are at risk for freezing and inefficient with operation. Inspect your sump pump in the fall for proper insulation and cleanliness.
Insulation material is a choice that takes careful consideration. Common materials are fiberglass, foam, insulated pipe wrap. The insulation should be cut to fit the pump dimensions. It can be securely fastened using zip ties or tape. The discharge pipe connected to the pump should also be insulated.
Flushing the water heater is a priority
Fall leads us directly into the thrill of winter and many of our appliances will work much harder with the cold weather. That’s true of your water heater despite providing the same level of hot water. To help the unit run as efficiently as possible, the tank needs to be completely flushed.
Flushing the system, eliminating sediment buildup, an issue resulting in many problems including proper heat transfer blockage.
Sewer line inspection
A plumber with a family-owned service should inspect your sewer line once or twice each year for signs of damage or blockages. Fall is a good time to address defects before they have a chance to worsen as the temperatures drop. A professional inspection can detect areas of concern like poor insulation.
Problems can lead to freezing and subsequent damage. Your plumbing professional will keep you informed, present solutions, and repair the system with no potential complications or recurrences in the future.
They will offer instructions on better care and upkeep and proactive and preventive measures moving forward.
Small, preventive tweaks can help you avoid costly plumbing headaches — read Today’s Homeowner offers a straightforward, easy‑to‑follow rundown of common issues and how to spot them early.
Inspect plumbing for any signs of leaks
Check plumbing fixtures, pipes, and connections for signs of drips or leaks. Addressing these early can conserve water and prevent water damage. Leaks create moisture buildup in a house crawl space, the ceiling, and the walls. This moisture can freeze in the winter in colder climates causing pipes to burst.
Detecting and fixing leaks in the fall helps to reduce the risk of freezing pipes and associated water damages. Under kitchen and bathroom sinks and dripping taps and showerheads are common places to check. Your local plumbing professional can do a more in-depth inspection and make any necessary repairs on the spot.
Inspect and Clean Your Gutter System
Gutters are an aspect of the house that could impact the home’s overall wellness. Clogged gutters are responsible for leaking roofs and water damage both on the interior and exterior. The system is a breeding ground for pests like rodents and fungi or mold.
Left neglected, it’s difficult for water to drain. The water freezes as the temperatures drop leading to roof seeps. The gutters can sag under the weight of the frozen water and debris, which can pull the hardware securing the gutters in place away.
Gutter cleaning can be a DIY project but can as readily be performed by professionals for homeowners who are less comfortable in handling the process.
Final Thought 🚽
Family-owned and trusted plumbing experts want to help you and your family enjoy the warmth and joy that the next few months offer. Follow the tips here and reach out for your fall plumbing inspection.
