Fall Plumbing Check: How To Prep for a Smooth Transition

As cool weather takes hold in the Indianapolis area, preparing your home for fall and winter is important. For many homeowners, this means servicing their heating system to stay warm and cozy, but they may overlook their plumbing systems.

Plumbing pipes, fixtures, and appliances can be especially vulnerable to the cold, and this guide will outline some of the most necessary steps to ensure a smooth transition into colder weather.

Flush & Inspect Your Water Heater

Having your water heater serviced once a year by a professional plumber can help you avoid a water heater breakdown during the middle of fall or winter. Basic water heater maintenance should include:

• Draining and flushing sediment from tank water heaters
• Flushing sediment from the heat exchanger on tankless water heaters
• Inspecting the burners and flue of gas water heaters
• Testing the heating elements
• Replacing the anode rod when required

Check for Leaks

Plumbing leaks can cause extensive damage to your home while raising your water bills. If your pipes are in exterior walls or unconditioned areas like a crawl space, they can be vulnerable to freezing and bursting.

If you suspect you have a leak due to mysterious water puddles, water stains on your walls or ceilings, or higher-than-normal water bills, call a qualified plumber for professional leak detection and repair. We can track down even small leaks and prevent further damage to your home.

Winterize Exterior Faucets & Sprinklers

Exterior hose bibs, faucets, and sprinkler systems are among the plumbing systems most likely to be damaged by the cold.

Winterize faucets and hose bibs by disconnecting and draining the hoses, then turning off the valves that supply them from the interior of your home. Finally, open the exterior valve to drain any remaining water in the pipe.

Consider installing frost-free hose bibs to prevent frozen and burst pipes in the winter. You should also drain and shut off the sprinkler system for the season.

Test Your Sump Pump

Heavy rains in the fall, winter snow, and spring thaws can all leave your basement vulnerable to flooding. It’s important to test your sump pump periodically to ensure it’s ready to protect your home, 

You can do this by filling a 5-gallon bucket with water and dumping it into the sump pump basin. The pump should activate and pump the water out quickly.

Call a professional for yearly sump pump maintenance and as-needed repairs to keep your unit operating as reliably as possible.

Inspect Your Water Softener

Servicing your water softener is crucial to prevent the buildup of mineral accumulations in pipes, fixtures, and appliances. The process should include:

• Inspecting the entire system
• Replenishing the salt solution
• Checking the plumbing
• Inspecting the electrical connections

It’s best to have a professional perform all your water softener maintenance and repairs to ensure your system lasts as long as possible.

Insulate Pipes

Burst pipes can be disastrous for your home, leading to extensive water damage, mold growth, and even structural problems. That’s why it’s important to insulate any pipes in vulnerable areas like exterior walls, basements, or crawl spaces before the winter cold arrives.

Have a professional install spray foam or fiberglass insulation on all exposed pipes, and choose a qualified plumber for frozen and burst pipe repairs.

Clear Drains

Slow or blocked drains can freeze in the winter, causing severe damage to your plumbing and home. Schedule preventative drain cleaning to ensure your drain pipes are clean and flowing freely before the cold weather sets in.

You can prevent clogged and cracked pipes by removing any accumulations of waste, grease, and hair from your drain pipes.

Schedule Plumbing Maintenance With Northern Comfort Systems

Need help preparing your plumbing system for the fall? Call our team at Northern Comfort Systems. We offer full plumbing maintenance services to keep your plumbing pipes, fixtures, and appliances in great condition. Our team makes it as easy as possible with our preventative service program for your heating, cooling, and plumbing systems.

Our Comfort Care Maintenance Plan includes great benefits like:

• Annual heating, cooling, and plumbing inspections
• 15% off repairs
• 50% off service charges
• Priority scheduling
• 5% off all new system installations

You can enjoy upfront pricing and premier service backed by great reviews by choosing our team for all your home plumbing needs.

Call today to schedule full-service plumbing maintenance and repair in Indianapolis or water heater and water softener services in Terre Haute, Anderson, or Muncie.