Fall – there’s so much to love about it. Colorful foliage, pumpkins, hayrides, and nice cool weather. Each of these is a sort of requirement for partaking in a season full of fall festivities. But keep in mind, as you enjoy all the fall activities, there are a few unavoidable seasonal aspects as a homeowner that, if left unchecked, can turn into massive headaches. Take your plumbing work, for example. Thus, we think it is a great idea to use these points from your Bellbrook Plumbing & Drain’s fall plumbing maintenance checklist to help you get your home fall-ready as we face the fall season full-force.
WHAT ARE SOME POINTS YOU CAN CROSS OFF YOUR FALL PLUMBING MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST?
- NUMBER 1: THE WATER HEATER- Generally, water heaters need to be inspected by a professional plumber at least once every year. Doing this is the best form of preventative maintenance you can put into action. When you have your water heater inspected, our licensed plumbers check to make sure the water heater is running at its utmost capacity. The last thing you want is to be blasted with freezing water right as you’re getting in the shower. That’s a winter woe we would never recommend trying out!
- NUMBER 2: PIPE INSULATION- It’s not undiscovered news that winter gets quite cold in Ohio. Therefore, if your plumbing fixtures or pipework remain uncovered in an open, unheated space like your basement, garage, or even a crawlspace, it would be a good idea to wrap your pipes in pipe insulation. This is a great autumn plumbing project that you can safely take on before the cold really sets in. Great news – your local home improvement store should carry a pipe insulation kit. As a bonus, they are pretty affordable!
- NUMBER 3: LEAKS & DRIPS- Now is the best time to check for drips and leaks around your home. Ohio winters can get rather frigid! So, you shouldn’t put off checking for leaks and drips this season. Remember, staying two steps ahead is essential! Fall is the perfect time to proactively look for things like this. Plumbing disasters can lead to expensive repairs, so think and plan ahead when you can.
- NUMBER 4: THE GARDEN HOSE- If you are the type of person who does not enjoy yard work, or maybe you find it therapeutic, one thing is for sure; fall means less yard work! Just remember, when you place your lawn tools in their designated spots for the rest of the season, don’t forget about the garden hose. Garden hoses are often forgotten in this process, but they should be disconnected, drained, wrapped up, and put up for the season.
- NUMBER 5: OUTDOOR FAUCETS- This next step coordinates with the previous point. If you have multiple outdoor faucets or fixtures, don’t discredit the necessity of inspecting and turning off each. Even if it’s a faucet or fixture you have not put to use this past summer, it is always good to double-check!
- NUMBER 6: GUTTERS- All that beautiful fall foliage you enjoy seeing in the fall can swiftly accumulate in your gutters. When this occurs, it turns into an unpleasant pile of sludge, which creates obstructions that keep your gutters and drains from performing their intended job. To prevent this from taking place, we recommend homeowners clear out their gutters one time in the fall because if left unattended, all the loose leaves and outdoor debris can lead to undesirable issues down the road. You don’t want your gutters to give off an unpleasant odor during your fall family and friend gatherings!
Preventative maintenance is key in setting up your plumbing work for success! Perhaps you are searching for a local plumbing company you can trust. If so, look no further! Don’t hesitate to contact Bellbrook Plumbing & Drain today at (937) 240-3731 or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!