With the cold months on the way, is your home prepared? You may be wondering what to expect of your pipes as the temperature falls in Central Maryland. Or perhaps you are not sure of the telltale signs that a problem is brewing and could yet become an expensive one.
We have been putting those worries to rest for homeowners here in Central Maryland since 2000. All Clear Plumbing and Drain Service is a Laurel, MD family operation and we put our services before communities from North Laurel and Columbia over to Silver Spring, Rockville and Annapolis. Should something present itself this fall, we are only a phone call away at (301) 973-6278.
Small things with your plumbing have a way of going unnoticed in the fall until winter makes them an issue. A bit of forethought now will spare you some stress down the road. Here are a few tips to see your home through the season.
First Freeze: A Test for Your Pipes
A hard freeze can come on quickly in Maryland and take the homeowner by surprise. The exposed pipe is always in the line of fire. Once the water within it freezes and swells, you are looking at a cracked or burst pipe and a flooded home.
Make a circuit of your property and check for any pipes left to the elements. This includes those in an unheated basement or garage, outdoor hose bibs, lines on an exterior wall, in the attic or near a vent. Put some foam insulation sleeves on the more vulnerable ones. If the mercury is set to plummet in the evening, let the faucet run a little to ease the pressure.
Put Away Your Hoses
It is easy to forget but a garden hose still on the spigot will hold water that, upon freezing, can make its way back into the pipe behind the wall. Make it a point to drain and put all hoses in a dry place. Where there is an interior shutoff valve, turn off the supply to the outside faucets and open the spigot so what is left can run out.
An Inspection of the Water Heater
The unit has to work overtime in the colder months to make up for the incoming water and meet the demands of the household.
Spend a few minutes with it before the need arises. Put your ear to it for any rumbling or popping that would indicate sediment. See if there is corrosion or moisture at the base and verify the temperature setting is comfortable and safe; do not keep anything flammable in its vicinity. If the heater is having trouble or is due for replacement, it is best to deal with it now rather than in the middle of a cold spell.
Get the Drains in Order for the Holidays
The kitchen sink is about to get a good workout with all the holiday cooking and entertaining. Grease and food debris add up in no time. Do not put grease in the drain where it will cool and clog the pipes. Be careful what you put in the garbage disposal and use a lot of water with it. A slow drain today is a full clog tomorrow when you least want it.
Sump Pump Check
To have a dry basement in the face of a Maryland autumn rain, the sump pump has to be in order. Put a bucket of water in the pit and see if the pump does its job. Any hesitation or weak performance should be attended to ahead of a storm.
Heed the Warnings
Most emergencies are preceded by some indication. Keep an eye out for lower than normal water pressure, odd sounds from the pipes, dampness on a wall or ceiling, a drain that is sluggish or an inexplicable rise in the water bill. It is better to put a stop to a minor matter before it requires a major fix.
There is no reason to tackle plumbing on your own this fall. Our team at All Clear Plumbing and Drain Service is on hand 24/7 for the families of Central Maryland. Give us a ring at (301) 973-6278 and face the winter without a care.