As the calendar changes from summer to fall, you’re in the middle of preparing your kids for the start of the school year, making plans for early autumn, and figuring out what you need to do around the house. For some, that may mean raking the leaves as they begin to fall or other yard and HVAC maintenance tasks. However, one area that you shouldn’t neglect is your plumbing maintenance needs.
Knowing what areas of your home’s plumbing could use extra care and attention can help identify problems before they worsen. Having a list of essential maintenance tasks and key areas to keep an eye on can help keep your home’s plumbing system running smoothly throughout the fall and winter.
Don’t Forget About Your Outdoor Hoses
When people hear “plumbing maintenance,” they automatically think of their indoor pipes and what they can do for them. However, if you have spent a lot of time outside using your hoses to water the plants and the yard, you want to ensure you don’t forget about storing them properly. Before the weather gets too cold and potentially causes problems, wrap your outdoor hoses up and keep them in a warm and dry place until the spring.
Add Pipe Insulation in Potential Problem Spots
The worry that the water in your pipes can freeze and cause a burst pipe becomes more pronounced as the temperatures get colder. Instead of waiting for winter to arrive with tidings of water of damage and expensive repairs, insulate your pipes now before there’s a problem.
Look for exposed areas of your plumbing system and visually inspect your pipes. Check for areas exposed to the ambient temperature that doesn’t appear to have existing insulation; once you find them, it’s time to address the potential issue. You can use velcro strips to affix the material to the exposed pipe and feel more secure that you won’t have to deal with frozen pipes. For a more thorough inspection, you can call the professionals at Mister Sewer, Plumbing, & HVAC to take a look!
Inspect Your Water Heater
Your unit supplies your entire home with the hot water needed for various household tasks. From warm baths to washing the dishes and doing laundry, your water heater plays a pivotal role in your home’s overall function. This fact is why you should make it a priority to have yours inspected regularly — either by you or a professional.
Whether you have a traditional setup or a tankless model, you want to ensure that your water heater functions as efficiently as possible. We have talked about some tips to enhance the lifespan and efficiency of your water heater in greater detail. Still, you should check for leaks or issues with the temperature pressure valve and sediment levels. A seasoned plumbing professional can help walk you through the necessary steps.
Don’t Ignore Leaks
If you’ve noticed a leaky bathroom faucet, kitchen sink, or shower head and thought, “what’s the worst that could happen?” you are not alone and in for a rude awakening. The longer a leak is left unattended, the more your water bills can skyrocket, potentially leading to more serious issues. Smaller issues can hide more serious problems that can cause untold water damage to your home that require more invasive solutions to fix.
These issues can get exacerbated during the winter months when the shifting temperatures can cause the water in your pipes to expand and create hidden leaks that you aren’t immediately aware of. When you notice a leak, call an experienced plumbing professional to help and schedule an appointment for a more in-depth inspection.
Get Your Home’s Plumbing System Looked at This Fall by Pittsburgh’s Best!
Some plumbing problems can happen when you least expect them; however, that doesn’t mean you can’t take steps to prevent them. With an experienced plumbing company with a team of expertly trained plumbers, you can take your home’s fall maintenance needs into your hands and keep your system in excellent condition.
When you need the best plumbing maintenance services in Pittsburgh, PA, Mister Sewer, Plumbing, & HVAC is here to help. We have extensive experience identifying and fixing the plumbing issues you may have overlooked and keeping your home running smoothly. If you want to schedule a maintenance call, contact our team today!