As fall approaches with cooler weather so do the possible related hazards, so we begin our to-do lists. We prepare our lawns, home exteriors, and cars for ice and snow, but the interior of the house needs preparation just the same. We mean your plumbing. These four tips can help you avoid extra, unwanted costs in the fall season.
Holiday Kitchen Smarts
Along with everything else that comes with fall, so do the large family meals and lots of holiday-inspired cooking. Which means lots of messes, food scraps, and ingredients. All this activity impacts your plumbing, especially at such a higher volume.
You have heard it before and we will say it again, no bacon grease, or any fat, should go down the kitchen sink drain. While it seems like the easiest way to discard the leftover grease, it can cause serious damage to your plumbing. Once the fat cools and hardens, you will be left with a clogged pipe, and no amount of hot water will make it disappear.
Use the garbage disposal sparingly and wisely. Be sure you run cool water into the disposal prior to putting the leftover food or scraps into the drain, run the disposal, and then run plenty of cool water on top until the job is done. Cool water helps prevent the disposal from overheating. If you are hosting a number of people, consider a trash bin dedicated to leftovers from plates that can be taken outside once the meal is over.
Prevent Pipes from Freezing
Sometimes an unexpected cold front can catch us off guard. If you do not have a long-term solution in place, a quick go-to for preventing your pipes from freezing is to allow a small flow of water trickle from the faucet while also opening the bottom cabinet doors to allow more heat circulation.
However, it is important to be prepared and a long-term solution is always best. Consider having your pipes fitted with foam, rubber, or fiberglass sleeves. For exposed pipes, this will be one of the most effective solutions and can take away the added stress and expenses that come with burst pipes.
Clean Out Your Gutters and Unhook Outdoor hoses
This is a great way to think ahead and be prepared for fall weather conditions. Be sure water can be taken away from your home. Leaves and debris accumulating in the gutters can cause water to settle in place, causing possible flooding and if the water freezes you risk breakage and damage to your home.
In anticipation for the temperature drops, unhook all outdoor hoses and drain them of any leftover water. When temperatures drop low enough, hoses can freeze along with the water left in them, causing expansion, which will back up into the pipes that run through your house resulting in burst pipes. Disconnect and drain your hoses well before the temperature drops.
Have your Water Heater Checked
This is an important step as fall and cooler weather approach. As you are more likely to use your hot water heater during this time of the year, rather than spring or summer, you will want it inspected first. In preparation, be sure to have a licensed professional come to inspect your water heater for rust spots, water connections, proper ventilation, temperature check, and proper draining. Getting ahead of a possible problem can save you hundreds of dollars in repair costs.
Call Amarillo A&R Plumbing, Heating, and Air at 806-372-1572 or contact us to schedule an appointment today. We can take care of all your plumbing needs for any weather.
