5 Fall Tips to Prepare Your Home for Winter from an experienced Plumber
As the leaves start to change and the temperatures drop, it’s crucial to prepare your plumbing for the autumn season. Neglecting your plumbing can lead to costly repairs and headaches down the road. Here are five essential fall plumbing tips for GTA homeowners that we recommend every year as plumbing experts in Whitby.
Tip #1. Turn off your outdoor water supply and drain the pipes
The most important thing to do is to turn off your exterior water supply. Prevent frozen pipes and bursts that you'll only spot when the thaw occurs next spring!
The first step to prepare for winter is to turn off your outdoor water supply. Frozen pipes can cause significant damage, often not realized until the following year. Turn off the water supply inside your house, then open the outdoor tap to drain any remaining water. This prevents ice expansion and pipe damage.
Tip #2. Clear Your Gutters and Drain pipes
Fallen leaves and debris can clog gutters and drain pipes, leading to water damage. Just like frozen pipes, you might not notice the damage until spring. Clean your gutters thoroughly, but if you’re not comfortable with climbing a ladder, it’s best to call a professional.
Tip #3. Inspect Your Water Heater
Maintaining your residential water heater is crucial, especially as emergency calls for water heater issues spike in the fall. Proactive steps can prevent a lack of hot water or even basement flooding. Flush the tank and check the pressure relief valve. For natural gas heaters, it’s wise to call a professional for inspection and service.
Tip #4. Inspect Your Sump Pump
A sump pump inspection ensures that your home and your belongings are protected if flooding ever occurs.
Basement flooding can occur during autumn and spring flash floods. The weather in the Greater Toronto Area has been unpredictable, with flooding affecting areas like Pickering, Whitby, Ajax, Oshawa, Markham, and Toronto. A sump pump can prevent costly foundation repairs and damage to keepsakes stored in the basement. Test and maintain your sump pump regularly.
Tip #5. Inspect Your Furnace
Fall is the the best time to book your furnace inspection! Your furnace keeps both your home and your interior pipes warm, so make sure it's in shape to keep you comfortable in the winter to come.
A malfunctioning furnace can make your house unbearably cold, which is not just a comfort issue but a plumbing one too. Interior pipes rely on the house being at room temperature to keep water moving. If the house gets too cold, interior pipes can freeze and cause damage. Have a certified technician inspect your furnace to ensure both you and your pipes stay warm this winter.
A little preparation now avoids big headaches in the Winter and Spring!
Taking these proactive steps can save you from major plumbing issues and ensure your home is ready for the colder months. For more fall residential plumbing tips and advice, sign up for our newsletter at Marco Plumbing. Stay warm and worry-free this autumn!