Fall in Illinois is right around the corner…again! Welcome to the 2 weeks out of the year that we get Fall in Illinois! Ok, maybe we get a month of fall in Illinois, but that’s not important. What is important though, is making sure that your home plumbing system is ready for the Fall season before we get quickly into Winter. We have compiled some Fall plumbing tips to make sure that your home plumbing system is ready for the harsh changing of weather over the next handful of months.
Remove, Drain and Store Garden Hoses
You want your garden hose to last another year, so it’s important that you properly store it away. When the hose has been disconnected, drain the water and place it in an area of your home that will not reach freezing temperatures. Water that’s left over inside the hose can freeze and expand causing the hose to break!
Cleaning of Your Gutters
We do realize this isn’t a plumbing tip, but it’s a tip that can help keep damage from occurring to your home’s foundation. Your gutters are designed to carry rainwater from the roof away from the foundation of your home. If gutters are clogged or backed up, this could cause an overflow of water which could cause damage. Better to be safe than sorry here.
Protect Your Pipes
This is a big one. Be sure to walk around your home both inside and out to make sure that all exposed piping is properly insulated. By insulating them with fiberglass, piping sleeves, or insulation tape, you’ll keep them warm and flowing freely throughout the Winter. You run the risk of burst pipes or frozen pipes when it gets to the freezing point outside.
Drain Your Hot Water Heater Tank
This will help to prevent any sediment built up or rusting. This will also help lengthen the life of your water heater tank and enhance its heating efficiency.
Check Your Faucets and Plumbing Fixtures
Be sure to repair any leaks or replace any items before the colder weather hits.
Check all of your outdoor faucets to ensure that they are free of leaks or drips first off. It is also a good idea to check the condition of the faucet as well so that faucet replacement or repair can be made prior to the colder weather setting in. Another good idea for your outdoor faucets is to purchase faucet covers, which are relatively cheap.
Prepare For A Vacation
If you take annual Winter vacations, a little advanced planning goes a long way to preserving the overall condition of your home. Depending on how long of a trip you are taking, you should completely shut off your water valve, drain all of your faucets, and set your home thermostat between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Installing a smart thermostat is helpful as well as you can change temperatures via your smart phone in the case that you forget.