As we move on from the lazy days of summer towards the cooler, rainier weather of autumn, it’s a good idea to go through a few simple checks to make sure your plumbing is up to standard for the season ahead. Being proactive can help save the hassle and cost of emergency repairs and can prevent serious water damage to your home.
Three steps to prepare your home for the season:
- Make sure to clear all of your gutters so they are free of leaves and debris. As we approach the rainy season, you will want to make sure that there are no blockages in your drainage system that could back up and potentially lead to problems over the winter.
- Catch basins and storm water sumps should be cleared as required as well to make sure they are ready to do their job for the wet weather ahead.
- Make sure to drain hoses and turn off all of your outside taps. If your home is equipped with an indoor shut off valve, you can turn your outside water off there. If not, you can turn off the taps from the outside and either invest in a faucet cover or simply wrap the tap and cover it in plastic to protect it from freezing.
Planning to be away from home?
If you are going to the sunny south this winter, or anywhere else for that matter, consider a couple of simple steps to protect your home while you’re away:
- Resist the urge to turn the heat off entirely. You may think it makes sense to save your heating dollars when no one’s home, but keeping your thermostat set at a low setting will help to prevent freezing pipes while you are away.
- Turn off the main water supply to the house. In the event that you do have a plumbing issue while you’re away, this will prevent the water from freely flowing until you return. So, while you might still have some repairs to make, you won’t be dealing with major water damage as well.
Contact us today at (250) 681-0089.
