The leaves are changing color and the temperature is getting cooler. It is time for fall and that means it is ready to get your home ready for the winter months. Making sure your gutters, pipes and faucets is important and can prevent possible plumbing problems before the first fall freeze.
We have gathered some tips for you to help with your regular autumn plumbing routine maintenance.
To prevent your interior pipes that are connected to the water faucet outside from freezing or bursting, disconnect your water hose.
Be sure to check that there are no drips or leaks from your outdoor faucets.
Turn your outdoor faucets off and shut off the interior valve for outdoor faucets.
Cover your outdoor faucets with hose bibs or styrofoam.
Clean your gutters.
Check out all of your pipes in your home. Make sure they are insulated well.
Drain your water heater. This will help avoid rust and build up.
First, shut off the power and the water supply valve.
Second, drain the tank by connecting a hose to the drain valve and have it run to a drain close by.
Be sure to check that there are no drips or leaks from your interior faucets and plumbing fixtures such as toilets, sinks, shower heads, etc.
If there is any, call your plumber to repair them before it gets too cold.
Make sure your sump pump is working well and clean if you have one.
Pour water on it to see if it turns on and pumps the water out.
If it is damp, has a bad smell, or not working the way it should; call your plumber to get it repaired.
Keeping up with these simple tasks can help save you money and time. It just takes one little mistake to lead to one big problem like having a frozen, cracked, or burst pipe.
Here is a list of highly rated plumbers in and around the Lake of the Ozarks area:
