Fall already? It sure is, and there’s work to be done! Consider it the flipside of Spring cleaning! After all, your plumbing and pipes should be inspected before a change in season, and with colder weather on the way, Fall is a great time to check that everything is in good working order. It makes sense to do this now, to minimize the risk of burst, frozen pipes and faulty water heaters before the snow hits. Some residential plumbing maintenance is easy to do yourself, while in other cases you may want to call in a professional, local Reisterstown plumber such as Ensor Plumbing!
Check Out These 6 Plumbing Tips from Our Residential Plumber to Help Get You Started
1. Clear those drains and gutters
Oh, it’s tempting that when you’re raking up fall leaves to just sweep them into the drains? But you should be consistent about keeping the drains and gutters clear of leaves. Damp, decomposing leaves can cause a blockage, leading to a nasty burst pipe come the winter freeze.
2. Start fixing any leaks now
Leaky plumbing is the number one cause of burst pipes during winter. If you’ve been putting off fixing any leaks, bring in a professional Reisterstown plumbing company to inspect all the pipes on your property and repair any damage before winter.
3. Inspect Your Water Heater
An annual water heater inspection is a good idea to not only check for damage but to clean it. Minerals in the water gradually cause the build-up of sediment which reduces the water heater’s efficiency. Your Reisterstown plumber can drain and clear your water heater of any sediment. If your water heater is rusting, you may have to have it replaced. Better to know about these things now, rather than when your shower turns ice cold because your water heater won’t heat!
4. Insulate against the cold
All pipes are at risk of freezing and bursting during winter, but those in unheated areas of your home are especially so. Purchase heat tape or an insulation kit from the hardware and insulate these pipes. And any openings on the outside of your home that may need extra insulation. If you’re not confident with DIY work, bring in a plumber to do the work.
5. Sump Pump Maintenance
Besides being fun to say, (“sump pump!”) your sump pump can freeze during cold weather, just like your pipes can. This can cause major damage during a thaw. Check to see if your sump pump is working properly by lifting the lid and clearing out anything that might be clogging it. Then, pour water through it to make sure that it is draining properly. If water is just pooling, you might have a problem you can’t see. That’s when it’s time to call in a professional plumber.
6. Inspect Your Outdoor Wall Hydrants ASAP
Wall hydrants outside that are dripping or have hoses left on can be a major problem. Again, we cannot understate that leaky plumbing is the number one cause of burst pipes during winter. If you’ve been putting off fixing any leaks, bring in a professional Reisterstown plumbing company to inspect all the pipes on your property and repair any damage before winter.
Contact Our Local Plumber Today for Help with Clogged Drain Cleaning, Dripping Faucets, and Much More!
Ensor Plumbing is a family-owned business serving residents throughout Reisterstown and surrounding area homes since 1961! You don’t want to wait until you have clogged drains, dripping faucets, or even worse, no hot water before you decide to address your plumbing. Get to know us BEFORE you have a plumbing emergency. Call us today at 410-429-4959, or request service right here from our website.