Temperatures are beginning to drop here in Texas, and with the cooler weather means higher use of heating appliances and hot water. While we gladly enjoy the use of our hot water heater this fall and winter season, we also need to keep in mind that there are some maintenance steps that homeowners should perform in the fall to make sure that your water heater and other plumbing systems make it through the winter smoothly.
Plumbing Dynamics understands how frustrating it can be for your pipes to freeze up in the cold weather or to have another system like your sump pump give out. Here are five of our tips for preparing your plumbing to survive a cold winter.
1. Flush Your Water Heater
During the cooler weather, most homeowners know that their water heater begins to work overtime in order to provide hot showers and other essentials. If you let the water in your tank just rest during the summer you run the risk of corrosion and your water heater malfunctioning over the cool seasons.
We suggest attaching a hose to your water heater and releasing several gallons of the old water into your nearest drain. This way you can remove any sediment that has built up over time and let your water heater start off fresh this fall.
2. Examine Your Faucets
Check your faucets for any leaks. The cooler seasons are prime time for leaks to start to spring up. Getting these issues resolved by your local Carrollton plumber before the air gets too cool can help you save money on more expensive fixes in the future.
3. Check out Your Sump Pump
When your sump pump is exposed to extreme cold conditions like we sometimes have in Carrollton, they can freeze and therefore, stop operating. Your sump pump should be cleaned annually and examined by your local Carrollton plumber in order to ensure that it does not require any repairs.
Your sump pump is used to get rid of water that would take over your basement or first floor of a home. Having this system malfunction during the winter could spell out bad news for you as a homeowner.
4. Insulate Pipes
One of the biggest mistakes that people seem to do every year is forgetting to insulate their pipes and disconnect their hoses. Water freezes easily in the winter. Frozen water in your pipes allows expansion that can quickly lead to a burst pipe that could be in the house or buried deep in your backyard.
These expensive fixes can be prevented by insulating your pipes with materials that can be purchased at a local hardware store, and by disconnecting your hoses. Hose disconnection prevents any excess water from leaking into your pipes and then freezing.
This step may seem tedious, but 30 dollars’ worth of pipe insulation is a lot less trouble than a lengthy more severe fix that could occur if you fail to perform this step on our checklist.
Need More Help? Give Plumbing Dynamics a Call!
We are Carrollton plumbers that are dedicated to our community and the efficiency in which we approach our craft. If you are a new homeowner or just need help understanding the things you need to do to prepare your plumbing for winter, give Plumbing Dynamics a call today. We will be happy to come out and help you complete these tasks in the friendly, affordable process that we live by.
