addison smith provides fall plumbing tips including sump pump inspection, water heater, exposed pipesFall Plumbing Tips

Every year, before the weather gets too cold, it’s a smart idea to make sure everything in your home is ready for the chilly winter ahead. The expert plumbing specialists here at Addison Smith have created an Autumn Home Checklist with Fall plumbing tips to follow to make sure your home is ready. Make sure you check all of these items and then sit back, light a fire in the fireplace, and laugh at Old Man Winter while you’re snug in your Douglasville, GA home.

Check outdoor faucets for leaks

Because outdoor faucets are outdoors, it’s easy to miss small leaks when they happen. Really inspect each outdoor faucet for leaks. Attach a hose with a nozzle that you can turn off. Turn the water on, leave the nozzle off and see if the extra pressure reveals any leaking. If not, you can rest easy. If there are signs of leaking, call us for a quick faucet repair.

 

Insulate exposed pipes

Plumbing pipes, especially those on exterior walls or in un-insulated areas like unfinished parts of the basement or over the garage are the first pipes to freeze when temperature plummet. A quick trip to the hardware store for pipe insulation will save you a lot of trouble later. No one likes broken pipes and the mess they make!

Inspect the water heater

Many homeowners don’t think to examine their water heater for rust or leaks. It’s also a good idea to have annual maintenance on your water heater to check the anode rod and remove built-up sediment in the bottom of the tank which, if left there, can insulate the heating element and make it harder for it to heat the water.

Inspect the sump pump

Fall is a great time of year to inspect your sump pump to make sure it is in working order. The middle of a thunderstorm is not the time to find out your sump pump is on the fritz. A quick test can tell you if it’s working. Fill a five-gallon bucket with water and pour it into the sump pit. The pump should kick on and drain the water. If nothing happens, you may need to call us to check it out.

Winterize your sprinkler system

The one thing you don’t want to forget to do is winterize your sprinkler system. Any water left in your underground pipes can freeze and burst causing all kinds of problems when it thaws including a repair bill. Make sure you have your sprinkler system blown out by a professional every fall.

Unhook all outdoor hoses

Make sure you don’t leave any hoses attached to outdoor faucets. This can cause the faucet to freeze and the pipe to burst. Check all faucets to make sure there are no hoses attached.

If you need any plumbing help, call us at Addison Smith Heating, Cooling and Plumbing and we’ll be there for any plumbing repairs or installs in your Douglasville home or anywhere in the West Georgia area. Call us at 770-746-7417.