As the weather starts to cool down, homes and businesses need to ensure that their plumbing is prepared for the upcoming seasons. Taking the time to prepare for harsh weather and cold temperatures will protect your plumbing from damage. Here are our top recommended steps to prepare your plumbing for fall and winter.
1- Drain Your Water Heater
Water heaters are one of the most used appliances in the home. During the winter, these appliances work harder to keep up with the demand for hot water. Before the cold hits, flushing the system can be helpful for the functionality of the heater. The accumulation of sediment and other build-up will cause a shortened lifespan.
Homeowners or business owners can drain several gallons of water from the bottom of the tank. Connecting a garden hose to one of the faucets will help direct the water and sediment away from the home to a safe drainage spot.
2- Cover Outdoor Faucets
Outdoor faucets make direct contact with fall and winter weather. Protecting these faucets during the colder months will ensure they work properly for the spring and summer. Freezing temperatures can lead to expansion and contraction, which then results in pipe bursts or damage to the faucets.
Insulating outdoor faucets will protect them and the rest of your home or business from water damage. Turn off outdoor taps and drain water from the faucets before freezing temperatures arise. Remove hoses and drain the water from them before storing them as well.
3- Turn Off Your Water If You Are Leaving Home
Some residents choose to move away from the cold and leave their primary residence behind. Going to a vacation home during the winter will require you to prepare your plumbing before leaving. Turning off the water in your home will reduce the risk of floods inside the home. Draining the pipes and insulating them are also good precautions to take. If home or business owners want to avoid coming back to expensive repairs, taking precautions now will provide success.
4- Seal Gaps Around The Plumbing
When a plumbing system was installed, holes were cut into the building to accommodate pipes and appliances. When first installed, the pipes will fit snuggly in the cutouts, but over time there may become gaps between the walls, floors, and pipes. Sealing these gaps will limit the likelihood of frozen pipes or cold drafts that could lead to higher utility bills.
Using caulking, weather striping, and other insulation to seal gaps will prepare your plumbing for fall and winter weather. Fluctuating temperatures and unpredicted storms can lead to stress on a plumbing system. Sealing small spaces and insulation will provide peace of mind.
5- Inspect Your Sewer System
A sewer system is used year-round which can cause a high amount of stress to even the most durable system. These systems handle cooking, laundry, bathroom usage, cleaning, bathing, and more. Having regular maintenance from a professional plumber will ensure that the sewer system can handle the needs of your building.
Having a licensed plumber check your sewer system before the fall season hits will help to remove blockages that could cause sewer failure. A regular drain schedule and inspection of sewer components will reduce the likelihood of repairs being required during cold weather.
Have Maintenance From Connect Building Systems
Connect Building Services offers multiple services for residential and commercial spaces. From leaky pipe repair, sump pump maintenance, water line restoration, water heater flushes, and repairs, our team offers everything you may need. Not only do we offer multiple services that homes need, but we also offer 24/7 emergency services. Plumbing issues never occur at a convenient time, so we want to be there for all our clients when a crisis arises.
Located in Sandy, UT, Connect has been delivering quality services for decades. We ensure that all technicians are trained and vetted. Our company stands behind every service we provide and keeps our pricing transparent for all residential and commercial services. Schedule a service with our team to see how we can improve your plumbing for the future.
