Your ever-expanding list of things to do is likely growing by the day this fall season. Whether it’s a nice list of fun fall family activities you’ve been looking forward to doing or a collection of homeowner duties, don’t forget about your home plumbing this fall season. It’s no secret that winters in Ohio are harsh. So, what can you do to ensure that your plumbing is in good working order this upcoming winter? Well, your local Mason Plumbing & Drain experts advise that you use the fine weather now to get any necessary repairs done. This way, your plumbing will be ready for the harsh weather that is on its way, and it can function at its highest capacity. So, please have a seat and allow us to discuss some essential actions you can take this fall to complete your plumbing maintenance checklist!
1. HAVE YOU HAD YOUR WATER HEATER CHECKED?
To prevent future difficulties, you should inspect your water heater on a regular basis. Don’t know what to look for? We got you! You should look for signs of wear and tear, corrosion, drips, and leaks. Furthermore, a water heater should be inspected at least once a year by a professional plumber. This will ensure that everything is working properly and that no one gets scalded during a bath or momentarily shocked by an ice-cold water stream in the shower due to an improperly set water heater.
2. HAVE YOU SCHEDULED A PLUMBING INSPECTION?
There will always be factors beyond your control as a homeowner that you must face. To avoid any unpleasant plumbing surprises, it’s also advisable to schedule an annual plumbing inspection for your house. You’re enhancing the probability of achieving optimum performance in your home’s plumbing by having a qualified plumber run an annual inspection once a year. So, if you can’t remember the last time a plumbing inspection was performed on your premises, call us today, and we will gladly get you squared away.
3. HAVE YOU CHECKED BOTH YOUR INDOOR & OUTDOOR FAUCETS?
Thirdly, check all your faucets and sinks for leaks on both the inside and outside of your home. Then if you find that any of your faucets are dripping or there is leakage, you want to be sure to get them repaired as soon as possible! Though it may seem like a minor issue, if a small plumbing problem is left unresolved, it can quickly develop into a much more serious problem – especially during the winter months. This is because a plumber will have a lot more trouble assessing the situation in the winter than in the fall when the weather is fine since frozen water might be a hindrance to plumbing rectification.
4. HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT YOUR EXPOSED PIPES?
Now, let’s take a look at your pipes and plumbing fixtures. If you have an unheated basement, garage, or crawl space in your home, there is a possibility that your exposed pipes or plumbing fixtures are susceptible to freezing up and bursting. Although this isn’t always the case, it’s best to be safe than sorry. And we all know how cold Ohio winters can be! By taking the necessary steps to protect these exposed areas of your home now, you can prevent any costly damage from occurring later down the road. As a preventative measure, keep in mind that pipe insulation kits are widely available at most home improvement stores. Wrapping your pipes and plumbing fixtures in pipe insulation is an excellent method to decrease the risk of your plumbing freezing and bursting.
5. HAVE YOU CLEANED YOUR GUTTERS?
Gutters should be cleaned in the fall due to the number of leaves and outdoor debris that may accumulate within them. Full gutters can build up a dam-like accumulation of icky sludge-like substances, preventing them from draining properly and resulting in an overflowing catastrophe. As a result, we recommend having your gutters cleaned at least once during the fall season. Fortunately, this is something you may either do yourself or hire someone to assist you with clearing out your gutters.
No plumbing job is too big or small for us. Contact us today, and we would be happy to help you out! If you are looking for a local plumber you can trust, you can call Mason Plumbing & Drain at (513) 298-6996 or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!