Homeowners: Plumbing Tips for Fall

Now that Halloween has come and gone and Starbucks’ pumpkin spice lattes are back in season, it’s time for homeowners to start preparing their homes for the fall and winter months. One reason is that as the weather gets colder and the holidays draw near, people tend to spend more time indoors than they do during the spring and summer.

More time spent indoors means more stress on our indoor plumbing system. And nobody wants a clogged toilet or shower drain, or freeze break disaster when the whole family is visiting for the holidays. We’d all rather be enjoying the pumpkin pie and eggnog and each other’s company as opposed to mopping up gnarly messes!

Here are 3 tips for preparing your plumbing for the fall:

1. Store your garden hose.

If you want your garden hose (and your pipes) to last a long time, stow it away until the first sign of spring. Disconnect the garden hose and turn off the outdoor faucet. Even if the temperatures haven’t hit freezing yet, it’s still best to disconnect the garden hose early. If you forget to disconnect the hose and it freezes one night, it can cause a break in the pipes and a total, preventable flood disaster.

2. It may be time for sewer maintenance.

Most people don’t realize it but home sewer systems often work double-time during the fall and winter months because people are inside more. If you’ve had any issues earlier in the year, such as recurring toilet clogs or a backed-up toilet, we recommend having a professional plumber come out and make sure your sewer system is serviced. Preventative maintenance before Thanksgiving can help prevent any plumbing emergencies during the holidays when guests are visiting.

3. Invest in water heater maintenance.

There’s something about colder weather that makes us want…warmer showers! Of course, the first thing we do is head over to the water heater and turn it UP. However, the best way to make sure our water heater is working efficiently is to have it maintained once a year – annual maintenance also extends the lifespan of the water heater. If you want to extend the life of your water heater and save money on your utility bills, contact us to schedule an annual water heater maintenance checkup.

To schedule, a service call with a Round Rock plumber at Excalibur Plumbing, call 512-259-7222 today!