The change of seasons is already on us, and if you aren’t already in the middle of making household preparations for the coming winter, you’re planning to get started soon. We’d like to help! We offer service to maintain both your heating and plumbing in Williston, VT. In this post, we’re going to look at what you can do to help prepare your plumbing this fall so it’s ready for the colder months ahead.
Have any leaks repaired
Leaks are never good in household plumbing, since they waste water, create damage to building material, and encourage mold growth. But they are extra damaging when cold weather comes along, possibly leading to cracking along the pipes. If you have suspicions about hidden leaks, call us for leak detection and repair services as soon as you can.
Detach outdoor hoses and wrap them up
The water still inside an outdoor hose will freeze when the temperatures drop, and that can then enter the pipes of the house. Drain as much water as possible from the hoses, then wrap them up and store them indoors until the spring.
Check the sump pump
The sump pump may end up going to work during the fall, and you want to make sure that it’s ready to go. Check the sump first (the actual water gathering pit) and clean out any debris in it; you don’t want the debris drawn up the pump’s intakes. Then test the pump by slowly pouring a bucket of water into the sump to see if the pump activates. If it doesn’t, or it makes loud noises, please call us to inspect it and see if it needs repairs or a replacement.
Insulate exposed pipes
Pipe freeze is a serious threat our plumbing faces during the winters. Exposed pipes, indoors and outdoors, should have insulation to prevent pipe freeze. There are a number of methods to do this, such as special pipe sleeves and heat tape. If you want professional assistance for the best results, we’re glad to help you with this.
Schedule water heater maintenance
We recommend having water heater maintenance done annually, and fall is the best time to do it because the water heater works harder during the winter. Not only does your family use more hot water in the winter, but the water entering the water heater is colder and needs more energy to reach normal temperature. Often, our technicians will do a water heater flush to remove sediment from the tank for best performance through the season, and we can also catch when a water heater is too old to continue and needs to be replaced.
Clean out the gutters
The gutters are a part of your home’ drainage system, and when heavy rains come, you’ll want them to be clear so water is directed away from the sides out your house and toward the storm drainage system.
If you have any questions about your home plumbing prep this fall, don’t hesitate to call us.
Red Rock Mechanical, LLC serves Northwest Vermont & Northeast New York. Call us for 24-hour emergency service for your plumbing or heating.
