With the first cold snap due any day, are you concerned over frozen pipes? You may be wondering what kind of toll the dropping temperatures take on your water heater. And when the leaves come down and put an added demand on your plumbing, are you prepared?
Chances are if your answer is no to any of that, you are not alone; the majority of homeowners tend to give their plumbing no thought until there is a problem. We at Star Plumbing & Mechanical put our customers in Western Kentucky in a position to get ahead of the season. A phone call to (270) 729-1961 and we will set you on the right course.
Owensboro and the towns around it have a way of being unpredictable this time of year. It can be summer one week and you are putting on a jacket the next. Such a reversal puts a strain on your plumbing. With some forethought you can avoid the expense of a repair and the headache that goes with it.
Why You Should Mind Your Plumbing in the Fall
Consider the cool weather making its way into Western Kentucky as a warning shot and act accordingly.
A pipe that has been trouble free all summer may not fare so well once the nights turn cold. Freezing water expands and the resulting pressure is enough to split a fitting or crack a pipe. More often than not a homeowner is none the wiser until the thaw and the deluge.
Then there is the matter of the water heater. Colder water coming in means the heater has to run longer to compensate. Should the unit have been showing its age, the additional stress in fall can be the last straw.
Things to Put on Your To Do List
You need not be a pro to handle the basics before winter. Here are a few items to check off:
- Put away and drain the garden hoses
- Turn off the supply to outside faucets
- Insulate exposed pipes in the garage, basement or crawl space
- Make sure the water heater is doing its job
- Get the debris and leaves out of the gutters and outdoor drains
- See if there is any moisture or a slow drip under the sinks
- Familiarise yourself with the location of the main shutoff valve
These are easy tasks but they will pay dividends when the cold comes. Should you see anything amiss, do not put off having it seen to.
Keeping the Cold from Your Pipes
For the most part the unprotected ones are the ones in danger, say those near the foundation or in an unheated crawl space and along exterior walls.
Any hardware store will have pipe insulation, an affordable way to put a buffer between the pipe and the elements. On a very cold night a little drip from the faucet will keep things moving and stave off a freeze.
But there are places that are difficult to access. If you have any doubts about the state of your pipes, let a professional have a look and nip problems in the bud.
Water Heater Check-Ups
It is tempting to ignore the water heater until it is not working, though no one relishes a cold shower in the middle of a frosty November.
Have it inspected in the fall. A tank full of sediment from the year will make the unit labor and cut its life short. Flushing it and going over the connections is good practice for the winter to come. Unusual noises, a lack of hot water or a leak at the base are all indications of trouble. Best to deal with it promptly.
Leave Some Things to the Pros
There is nothing wrong with tackling something on a weekend, but other matters should be in the hands of a licensed plumber. Leaks, odd sounds in the pipes or diminished water pressure warrant a call.
We are a veteran-owned, insured and licensed company out of Owensboro. In addition to serving the people of Hopkinsville, Madisonville, Henderson, Livermore, Philpot and Whiteville, we cover parts of southern Indiana and Illinois as well as the rest of Western Kentucky for both residential and commercial clients. Our hours are 7:30am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday and estimates are on us.
Prevent a minor issue from becoming an emergency in the cold. Let the team at Star Plumbing & Mechanical put your mind at ease as you go into winter. Give us a ring at (270) 729-1961.