Winter takes it out on everyone.
“You think THIS is cold? Wait ‘til you see what I have in store for you tomorrow,” winter is fond of saying. Or would be if it could talk.
Well, at Eagle Service Company, it’s our job and pleasure to help you escape winter’s wrath by helping you better protect your plumbing this fall:
Disconnect garden hoses
Unhook your hoses, then drain and store them in an above-freezing location like your garage. At the same time, shut off the water valves to your outdoor hose bibbs to prevent freezing and cracking.
Insulate open, unheated spaces and the water pipes inside them
By insulating open spaces – such as a crawl space or garage – you can reduce drafts. That helps lower your heating bills and reduces the risk of freezing pipes. For even greater protection, insulate the pipes inside those open spaces.
Inspect your water heater and have it serviced
The last thing you want is to run out of hot water in the winter, which only increases the likelihood of pipes freezing and bursting. So check for signs of water leaks around the base of your storage tank or in the pan. Also, have your tank flushed to remove built-up sediment that can corrode your tank’s inner lining or rob it of a good deal of its efficiency.
Clean out your gutters and downspouts
Poor attic insulation causes snow to melt on your roof, and clogged gutters cause melting snow or ice to overflow. Then, when water freezes, it expands and can tear apart your eaves, roof, and rip whole sections of your gutters right off the house.
Check for hidden water leaks
Any water leak should be repaired as quickly as possible, and yet some are more difficult to locate than others. So start by pulling your refrigerator away from the wall once a month. If you see any water on the floor, something’s leaking, and water could be seeping into your floorboards. Also check inside your attic, under your cabinets, and look for water stains and black mold throughout your home.
Fall is also a great time of year for plumbing and heating system preventative maintenance, two specialties of the house here at Eagle Service Company. To learn more or request service, contact is today so you’ll have a lot less to worry about this fall and winter.
