With the cold months on the horizon, is your home in order? You may have put down a slow drain or an odd sound from the water heater to chance and are now concerned over frozen pipes when the thermometer falls.
For more than 20 years A Better Plumber has been at the service of Maryland homeowners to put their minds at ease. We are a licensed and insured operation with a 4.9 star rating in excess of 1600 Google reviews to show for it. Whatever the job this season, we will put our expertise to work for you. For a discussion of your fall plumbing requirements, (301)-278-8786 is the number to put us on the line with.
There is no better time than the fall to forestall trouble before winter sets in; some forethought can spare you a good deal of aggravation once the freezing weather is upon you. We have put together a few tips below for the smooth running of your plumbing.
Protect Your Pipes From the Cold
A sudden cold snap is not uncommon in a Maryland winter and pipes left unprotected are a frequent cause of expensive damage. The expansion of water as it freezes is enough to crack or burst a pipe. But you can stave that off with a couple of easy measures in the fall.
To see your pipes through the drop in temperature:
- Put insulation on exposed pipes in the garage, basement or crawl space
- Put your garden hoses away and let them drain
- Do the same for outdoor faucets after shutting off the supply
- Any gaps or cracks in the wall by a water line should be sealed to keep the cold out
- Make sure you are familiar with the location of the main shutoff valve for emergencies
Attend to these things early and there will be no need to run about when the first hard freeze comes.
Turn Your Attention to the Water Heater
The unit has to put in more work in the cooler months to bring up the temperature of the incoming water. If you have not given it any thought, it could very well decide to fail at an inconvenient time. Most do not think of their water heater until they are in a cold shower.
Sediment will collect in the bottom of the tank and cut into its efficiency and lifespan if you are not on top of it. Draining and flushing the tank is something we would recommend you have done. Should you hear rumbling or popping, or find the hot water does not last as long as it did, it is worth having one of our men come by and have a look.
Drains and Sump Pump
Leaves are everywhere in the fall and they have a way of clogging up gutters and outdoor drains. That water will back up around the foundation if you do not clear the debris from your downspouts and give it somewhere to go.
As for the sump pump, test it before the wet weather makes its appearance. Put a bucket of water in the pit and verify the pump is doing its job. In the house, an otherwise slow drain will only deteriorate as the season wears on.
Holiday Preparations
You can expect the kitchen to be in demand during the holidays and all that cooking puts a strain on the garbage disposal and drains. Do not be tempted to put grease, oil or fibrous scraps in the sink, they are a sure fire way to get a clog.
While you are preparing for the festivities, make a point of:
- Allowing grease to cool and disposing of it in the trash
- Using cold water with the disposal
- Keeping coffee grounds, eggshells and starchy foods out of the drain
- Staggering showers if you have company so as not to tax the water heater
It is a small thing but will ensure everything is in working order when the house is full of family and friends.
Why not let A Better Plumber handle the preparations? It is no trouble and you need not do it by yourself. Monday to Friday we are here from 7AM until 8PM and on Saturday 7 to 4. Every bit of work we do is backed by a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee and we provide free estimates.
Contact us at (301)-278-8786 to be ready for the coming cold. We are happy to be of assistance to our Maryland customers.
