No one wants a burst pipe in the middle of winter because they forgot to perform some basic preparation in the fall months. As a homeowner, being educated and aware of how to do some basic maintenance is important. Following are 4 plumbing practices that will provide some guidance to properly maintaining your home this fall in Long Beach.
1. An area to pay attention to is the water heater. That water heater should be flushed by following instructions for your particular model. Typically the type and model can be found on the internet and will give instructions. Basically, you will be doing the flushing to remove any sediment buildup, thus impacting the efficiency of the unit or better yet, skip the hassle and stress with trying to find out how to flush or repair your water heater yourself and schedule an in home visit with your local Long Beach Plumber.
2. It sounds simple, but remember to disconnect outside water hoses. If it is not disconnected, water can freeze and expand. Once this happens, the faucets and pipes near them will freeze and eventually break.
3. Contact your local plumber to check the insulation of your plumbing system. Less or no insulation causes your water heater to work more aggressively to heat your home’s water, unnecessarily, and wastes water as you leave the water running waiting for the water to heat up. Upgraded piping insulation will save you money and water.
4. Clean and check the sump pump and pit area. Ensure that the pump will not be exposed to freezing temperatures or it will not operate. If it isn’t well insulated, you will need to bury the exit and intake valves as much as possible. If you cannot bury them, contact your plumber to insulate your sump pump or repair it, if needed.
Following some of these basic guidelines will help avoid situations where their may be damage or additional repairs that could have been prevented. The sooner you think ahead and start preparing this fall, the better your results will be, and the more you’ll save over time.
Have problems or concerns with your Long Beach plumbing system? Contact Mr Fix It Plumbing today, your professional plumbers in Long Beach, by dialing (562) 988-2454.
