With fall ending and the winter holidays approaching, it’s time to prepare the house for guests, who can actually put quite a load on your plumbing system. Older systems especially have problems this time of year.
How can you prepare your plumbing system for the winter season? And what plumbing maintenance should you do this season to ensure that you don't face any severe issues in the future? This guide will walk you through some plumbing maintenance steps you should take now.
Consider Upcoming Cold Weather
Do you have exposed pipes that you might expect to freeze as the temperature cools? Add insulation to prevent freezing. That way, you’ll avoid burst pipes, which can put your entire plumbing system out of order until you get major repairs.
Take Care of Exterior Water Fixtures
Next, see if you have a valve that shuts off only the outdoor water fixtures. Shutting off outdoor fixtures will stop water from being sent to these pipes, preventing possible bursts. It also prevents leaks and other common water issues that occur in the winter.
Another things you can do is remove outdoor hoses and add insulation caps to outdoor water sources. These steps also prevent bursting pipes.
Perform Water Heater Maintenance
You can expect your heater to begin working more intensely in the winter, so now is the time to perform regular maintenance. A professional can flush out your heater, removing buildup of sediment. This service prevents corrosion of your heater and could ultimately make your heater more efficient.
While you are looking at your water heater, now is also a good time to ensure that your temperature is set correctly. Plumbers typically recommend setting your water heater at 120 degrees. Manufacturers often set the water heater temperature higher than this.
Check for Leaks
Even minor leaks can lead to intense problems that can cost you hundreds of dollars in water bills and repair costs each month. Leaks may also be representative of other problems with your plumbing, so it is a good idea to have them assessed as early as possible.
Maintain Water Accessories
If you have a water softener, fall is the perfect time to perform maintenance. Water softeners require a flush, often called regeneration. While some units will take care of this automatically, others require you to program the maintenance. Read your user's manual to ensure that you are maintaining your water softener as often as is required.
Install a Dishwasher
Have you been thinking about buying a dishwasher? Now may be the right time to do it. Dishwashers save more water than washing dishes by hand, specifically if you have a newer model. Energy and water-efficient models are available.
Replace Old Toilets
A low-flow toilet can save your house a lot of money on water, and older toilets tend to use more water than is necessary. Plus, your area may offer an incentive for replacing your bowl. This incentive can save you some money as the cold weather (and thus heating costs) increase.
Maintain Your Sump Pump
If you have a sump pump, now is the time to have it cleaned and maintained. As the weather chills, also keep in mind that still water is more likely to freeze than water that keeps moving. You might also want to insulate the pipes outside if you are not able to bury them.
Are you ready to get started on fall plumbing maintenance?
Michigan Plumbingcan help you prepare your home for guests or simply keep your system up and running through the cold winter months. Call us today to set up an appointment.
