Transitioning your Plumbing from Summer to Fall
Although summer isn’t quite over just yet, there’s only a few weeks left until Labor Day weekend. The climate change from summer to fall can be a difficult change for many, especially when we’re all so used to the Texas heat. Don’t be unprepared for the temperature to drop, call Rodger’s Plumbing today to set up a time to ensure your pipelines are ready to roll for when the temperature starts to change.
- Make sure that your outdoor hoses are disconnected. You would hate for your water pressure to go to waste, and when we leave hoses connected in the cooler temperatures, you’re at risk for frozen pipes. Or even worse, they could be at risk for expanding beyond their capacity. When a pipe gets too full and frozen, eventually it’ll cause the pipe to burst.
- Clean those gutters! When you remove debris and leaves from your gutters, this allows the flow of water to travel down more adequately and you can also avoid clogs that can cause a blockage of buildup. Now when your pipes begin to thaw out, water drainage will work ten times more efficiently because you have already previously removed anything that could cause a clog in the system.
- Is your sump pump up to date? In order to survive a problem free plumbing winter, you’ll want to make sure that your sump pump is in good shape. A sump pump has about a 10 year life span, so it’s important to take care of it with frequent maintenance. Sump pumps are what eliminate moisture and prevent your basements from flooding over, and if they’re not cleaned out regularly, you run the risk of excessive mold and mildew backup.
- If you have any pipes in your home that are located in certain areas that may not be as insulated as others, protect them with things like heat tape to prevent them from freezing or bursting.
- Sediment buildup can become a huge problem with any plumbing system, and expensive if it’s not treated the right way. To err on the side of caution, flush out your water heater at least every six months. Your water heater is going to want to work harder to keep up in the cooler months, and depending on your water’s mineral content you may need to flush it out more often. WARNING: Every water heater is going to be different, so make sure you consult with a professional from Rodgers Plumbing to make sure your water heater is getting the attention it needs based on its make and model.
- Call us to test your water heaters pressure relief valve. The water coming out of your pressure relief valve is extremely hot, however checking it on a consistent basis will help to diminish the chance of sediment or mineral buildup, as well as catch any leaks that may have appeared early on so that they can be fixed sooner rather than later. If the temperature or the pressure in your water gets too high, you could be facing a potential explosion. Be sure to keep in mind that if your water heater is older than five years, if you try to check the pressure relief valve you may cause it to crack and leak out anyways since you’re testing an older unit.
