How to Get Your Home’s Plumbing System Ready for Fall
It’s always a bit sad to see the summer season end, but fall is also a beautiful time of year to be in New York. This is a time for apple orchards, hikes among the changing leaves, and preparing your home for cooler days ahead.
Although it might not be the most fun part of the season, right now is an ideal time to start paying a little more attention to your water, sewer, and piping systems. So, with the next season just around the corner, here are our best plumbing tips for fall.
Check Faucets for Drips and Leaks
Leaking and dripping faucets are bad news no matter what season it is. But the transition time between summer and fall is definitely a good time to check these areas. Make sure to check your outside faucets before the temperatures dip down to freezing. Even the smallest of cracks due to a frozen pipe can lead to severe water damage or even flooding.
To be prepared for the worst, identify the main water valve in your home and demonstrate how to use it to the other members of your household in case of emergency. This valve can be a lifesaver if a pipe bursts to prevent flooding in your home.
Disconnect Outdoor Water Hoses
Another smart thing to do around the house before fall is to disconnect all of the water hoses outside. If you leave the hoses where they are and with water inside as the temperatures drop, the faucets and pipes in your home are at a greater risk of freezing and breaking. While you’re at it, make sure to close interior shut-off valves and drain all of the water from the lines as well.
Insulate Exposed Pipes and Faucets
During cold New York winters, it’s important to insulate your pipes and exterior faucets. Even pipes that are located in unheated crawl spaces and garages can benefit from a little insulation. Heat cables and tapes can protect pipes from freezing and bursting during an unexpected burst of cold weather. Fiberglass, pipe sleeves, or insulation tape should do the trick. Also consider insulating your outside faucets with Styrofoam or a similar material for extra protection.
Clean Your Sump Pump
Sump pumps can become damaged if they are left outside in the fall, which poses serious risks for homeowners. If a sump pump freezes, it cannot properly remove water from your home. So, in the fall, inspect and clean your sump pump to prepare for heavy fall rains that could make your sump pump start working overtime. This is also good preparation in advance of snow piling up around your home’s foundation in the winter.
Keep Leaves Out of Gutters and Downspouts
Falling leaves is one of the most beautiful parts of the season, but all that debris can wreak havoc on your home’s plumbing system. As part of your fall yard raking routine, make sure to clean all of the leaves, twigs, and branches out of your gutters and downspouts. This will help rainwater drain properly and prevent it from freezing when it gets colder outside.
Your NY Plumbing Supply Specialist
If any of your current plumbing fixtures are broken, outdated, or in need of an upgrade, visit your NY plumbing supply specialist for help. Central Plumbing Specialties is your one-stop source for plumbing supplies, and we carry all of the best brands in the industry. For decorative kitchen and bathroom fixtures and hardware, make sure to visit one of our Grand Central Showrooms to explore the displays and choose the pieces that will look and perform best in your home.