Well, it’s only November 12th, and despite an admirably warm and kind fall season, we already saw our first white stuff. If you live in Kenmore or Tonawanda, you know about some of the challenges that come with moisture and dampness due to rainfall and snowmelt, but if you’re new to the area or a first-time homebuyer, we have a checklist for you! Today, we’re going to provide you with a home plumbing checklist to help get yourself and your home ready for winter, and keep your property safe and sound.
Disconnect & Drain Outdoor Water Hoses
You don’t want to leave your hose out all winter, and you definitely don’t want to leave it connected to your outdoor spigot. Remove any hoses and empty out all the water from inside by using gravity and holding one end up higher than the other. Store the hose in a safe, warmer place like a garage or shed. If you leave it connected, it could freeze and damage your outdoor valve and piping inside of the spigot.
Shut Off Outdoor Valves
After you get the hose taken care of, you should take a look at if your pipe leading to your outdoor faucet has a valve. If so, you should open up the valve outside and then turn off the valve inside, thus cutting off the water to this valve. This is because the water that is inside the pipe could end up freezing and causing a burst pipe and an expensive and messy fix.
Consider Pipe Insulation
Unheated areas like crawlspaces, basements, garages, and ttics should be monitored to see if you can insulate the piping found in them. This should also be considered if you have pops along exterior walls, as they can be more susceptible to freezing and bursting.
Clean the Gutters!
You may not think of gutters as a plumbing thing, but clogged gutters can cause ice dams, which can back up water and potentially cause plumbing issues! So be sure to clear them out before it gets too cold.
Observe for Any Leaks
We spend so much time in our homes, but we don’t always monitor the main things that keep them warm and safe until it’s too late. Check your basement, sinks, crawlspaces, and other areas that feature your home’s plumbing system for any visible leaks. Check faucets, pipes, and connections. Moisture around joints, corrosion, and water stains can also demonstrate a potential hidden leak or a future leak. Just a small leak can get much worse during freezing temperatures and end up being a big fix. (And big bill!)
Have Your Water Heater Inspected
It’s a good idea to have some of your equipment inspected periodically, ideally every few years, before winter. A good inspection, and possibly even a draining, can help to keep your equipment running at a high level for a longer period of time. Draining the water heater isn’t too complicated, and can help to remove sediment and minerals, but if you’ve never done it before, it’s probably a good idea to have a pro do it. You should consider flushing it once a year or so. It’s going to need to work harder in the winter, so might as well do it now in the fall.
Know Where Your Main Water Valve Is
As you’re inspecting your home for any leaks and making sure everything is in tip-top shape to hunker down, remind yourself to know where your main water supply is. If you notice that it’s being blocked or doesn’t have easy access, straighten up so you can be prepared to access it quickly to turn it off in case of an emergency.
Whether you’ve been living in your Kenmore home for 50 years or 5 days, know that if you have plumbing concerns, Advanced Sewer & Drain Cleaning is here to help! We have over 75 years of experience working here in the Ken-ton area, and we are well-versed with the plumbing systems of Kenmore and Tonawanda. Check out our Google reviews to learn more about our approach.
