Fall Plumbing Maintenance Tips

Image

Fall is here, and the chill is finally in the air in Arroyo Grande. That, along with the COVID-19 pandemic, means we’ll all be spending more time in our houses in the coming months.

So, there’s no better time than to check off those plumbing maintenance jobs that you’ve been putting off. Especially with freezing temperatures here in some areas, it’s important to ensure your pipes and faucets are ready for the season.

To help, our Arroyo Grande plumbing experts have created a checklist for homeowners.

Disconnect Hoses and Check Faucets for Leaks

Disconnect outdoor water hoses and make sure faucets are free of drips. This prevents interior pipes connected to the outside water faucet from freezing and possibly bursting.

Turn faucets completely off and shut off the interior valve (if your home has one). You can further protect exterior faucets by covering them with Styrofoam coverings.

Check Pipes and Fixtures

Inspect all of your home’s plumbing pipes to make sure they are properly insulated. Even interior pipes are susceptible to freezing in the wintertime, especially along exterior walls or in basements.

Check indoor faucets and plumbing fixtures (sinks, toilets, showerheads, etc.) for leaks and get them repaired before winter hits.

Inspect Your Water Heater

Water heaters work harder during winter months, so flush it out and remove sediment buildup, which causes corrosion, shortens its life, and reduces heating efficiency. Make sure the temperature setting on your water heater’s thermostat is set at 120°F for optimum performance.

Check out our water heater maintenance tips for more on this.

Fill in Outdoor Gaps

It’s common for gaps to develop over time where outdoor pipes enter the walls of your home. These gaps allow cold air to penetrate, which can impact your utility bill and even cause pipes to freeze. Inspect all the areas where pipes enter your home and seal the gaps with weather stripping, caulking, and insulation.

Check Your Sump Pump

Even though most homes on the Central Coast don’t have basements, you may have a sump pump in your crawl space. Make sure it’s clean and in good working order for when the rain comes. Pour a bucket of water on it and check to see that it turns on and pumps the water out. If it’s not working properly, or if you notice dampness or foul odors, call one of Arroyo Grande’s professional plumbers. A sump pump is also at lower risk for freezing if it’s well maintained.

For help on any of these projects, our professional Arroyo Grande plumbers are a call or click away. Contact us online or simply by calling (805) 751-7206 .

More Posts from Your Arroyo Grande Plumbers


Featured image for “The Pros and Cons of Tankless Water Heaters: Is It Right for Your Home?”

The Pros and Cons of Tankless Water Heaters: Is It Right for Your Home?

Featured image for “How to Deal with Common Plumbing Odors in Your Home”

How to Deal with Common Plumbing Odors in Your Home

Featured image for “3 Tips to Avoid Holiday Drain Drama”

3 Tips to Avoid Holiday Drain Drama

Featured image for “Kid-Friendly Bathroom Design”

Kid-Friendly Bathroom Design

Featured image for “Bathroom Plumbing Tips”

Bathroom Plumbing Tips

Featured image for “Arroyo Grande Plumbing Updates That Add Value to Your Home”

Arroyo Grande Plumbing Updates That Add Value to Your Home

Featured image for “Prep Your Plumbing For Vacation”

Prep Your Plumbing For Vacation

Featured image for “Choosing the Right Water Heater for Your Home”

Choosing the Right Water Heater for Your Home

Featured image for “4 Home Plumbing Maintenance Tips”

4 Home Plumbing Maintenance Tips

Featured image for “Helpful Steps to Keep Your Bathroom Mold Free”

Helpful Steps to Keep Your Bathroom Mold Free

Featured image for “New Years Plumbing Resolutions”

New Years Plumbing Resolutions

Featured image for “5 Reasons to Install A Home Water Filtration or Treatment System”

5 Reasons to Install A Home Water Filtration or Treatment System

Featured image for “8 Common Mistakes When Renovating a Bathroom”

8 Common Mistakes When Renovating a Bathroom

Featured image for “Preparing Your Plumbing for Thanksgiving”

Preparing Your Plumbing for Thanksgiving

Featured image for “Adding a Half Bath to Your Home: Four Things to Consider!”

Adding a Half Bath to Your Home: Four Things to Consider!

Featured image for “Why Do I Need An Earthquake Shutoff Valve?”

Why Do I Need An Earthquake Shutoff Valve?

Featured image for “Does My Garbage Disposal Need Repair?”

Does My Garbage Disposal Need Repair?

Featured image for “Arroyo Grande Plumbing: Tips for Controlling Asthma & Allergy Triggers in Your Bathroom”

Arroyo Grande Plumbing: Tips for Controlling Asthma & Allergy Triggers in Your Bathroom

Featured image for “Arroyo Grande Plumbing: Do I Need a Home Water Filtration System if I’m on a Well?”

Arroyo Grande Plumbing: Do I Need a Home Water Filtration System if I’m on a Well?

Featured image for “Arroyo Grande Plumbing: Top 5 Tips for Responsible Homeowners”

Arroyo Grande Plumbing: Top 5 Tips for Responsible Homeowners

Featured image for “Arroyo Grande Plumbing: Plumbing Tips to Survive the Holidays”

Arroyo Grande Plumbing: Plumbing Tips to Survive the Holidays

Featured image for “Arroyo Grande Plumbers: Why Choose Griffin Plumbing?”

Arroyo Grande Plumbers: Why Choose Griffin Plumbing?

Featured image for “Arroyo Grande Plumbers: How Do I Know When to Replace My Plumbing?”

Arroyo Grande Plumbers: How Do I Know When to Replace My Plumbing?

Featured image for “Arroyo Grande: Plumbing Warning Signs to Look Out For”

Arroyo Grande: Plumbing Warning Signs to Look Out For

Featured image for “Arroyo Grande Plumbing: 5 Ways To Make Your Plumbing Last”

Arroyo Grande Plumbing: 5 Ways To Make Your Plumbing Last

Featured image for “Arroyo Grande Plumbing: How Long Do Plumbing Fixtures Really Last?”

Arroyo Grande Plumbing: How Long Do Plumbing Fixtures Really Last?

Featured image for “Winter Plumbing Maintenance”

Winter Plumbing Maintenance

Featured image for “Arroyo Grande: What Causes a Pipe to Burst”

Arroyo Grande: What Causes a Pipe to Burst

Featured image for “Arroyo Grande Plumbing: Things Your Plumber Wishes You Wouldn’t Do”

Arroyo Grande Plumbing: Things Your Plumber Wishes You Wouldn’t Do

Featured image for “Arroyo Grande Plumbers: 7 Signs Your Sewer Needs Repair”

Arroyo Grande Plumbers: 7 Signs Your Sewer Needs Repair

Featured image for “Arroyo Grande Plumbing: Maintain Your Happy Home”

Arroyo Grande Plumbing: Maintain Your Happy Home

Featured image for “Griffin Plumbing – Customer Reviews – Arroyo Grande”

Griffin Plumbing – Customer Reviews – Arroyo Grande

Every Plumbing Problem Deserves A Griffin Solution!

Schedule your appointment today!

Griffin Plumbing, Inc. • (805) 751-7206

Launch Online Scheduler