Fall Plumbing Checklist: Prepare Your Home for the Season

When fall comes, it’s the perfect time to prepare your home’s plumbing for the colder months. In this article, you will find general and necessary recommendations for regions where winter temperatures fall below freezing. Here’s a streamlined checklist to ensure your plumbing is in top shape.

1. Prepare Home for Vacation Mode

If you’re leaving for an extended period during the fall or winter, protect your plumbing by:

• Turning off the main water supply to prevent potential leaks or burst pipes.
• Draining water from pipes by running faucets after turning off the supply.
• Setting your thermostat no lower than 55°F to prevent pipes from freezing.
• One of the most important things is knowing how to turn outside water off. This can prevent outdoor pipe damage.

2. Inspect and Clean Sump Pump

Avoid basement flooding during heavy rains by ensuring your sump pump is in good condition:

If you’re unsure how to clean a sump pump, you can look for a sump pump cleaner or call plumbers near me to handle the sump cleaning.

Test the sump pump by pouring water into the pit to see if it activates.

Check the discharge line for any blockages that might prevent proper drainage.

3. Insulate Pipes and Seal Leaks

Prevent frozen pipes in unheated areas of your home by:

• Wrapping pipe insulation around exposed pipes in basements, attics, and crawl spaces. For outdoor pipes, use outdoor pipe insulation to protect them from freezing.
• Sealing cracks or gaps in walls, doors, and windows where cold air might enter and affect pipe temperatures.
• Need help? Search for an emergency plumber near me or a 24 hour plumber near me for assistance with best pipe insulation.

4. Flush Water Heater

Extend the life of your water heater and ensure efficiency by:

• Flushing the tank to remove sediment buildup that can reduce heating efficiency. If you’re unsure how to flush a water heater, this is a good time for water heater cleaning as part of your hot water heater maintenance.
• Consider preventative maintenance on a hot water heater to ensure it’s running efficiently all season.

You can read in detail how to flush a water heater here

5. Clear Gutter Debris

Prevent water damage to your home by keeping gutters free of blockages:

• Remove leaves, twigs, and other debris from gutters and downspouts to ensure proper water flow.
• Ensure downspouts direct water away from your home’s foundation.

6. Check Faucets

Before fall become, inspect your outdoor faucets:

• Check for any leaks and repair them promptly.
• If your home has a water shut off valve outside, turn off the water supply. After turning it off, learn how to drain outdoor water pipes for winter to prevent freezing.
• When you return, you’ll need tips on turning water back on after shut off to ensure a smooth transition.

7. Disconnect Water Hoses

If you live in a region where the temperature falls below freezing, leaving hoses connected during cold weather can cause water to freeze and damage your pipes:

• Disconnect and drain garden hoses before storing them for the winter.
• Make sure outdoor faucets are completely drained to avoid freezing.

By following this focused fall plumbing checklist, you can safeguard your home and ensure your plumbing system is ready for the colder months ahead. Whether you need tips on hot water heater maintenance, pipe insulation, or finding a local plumber near me, taking these steps now can help prevent costly repairs and give you peace of mind all season long.

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