Updated August 31, 2024
Whether you love pumpkin spice or hot cider, we can all agree that fall weather can be tough on your home’s plumbing system!
As the weather gets cooler and days get shorter, our team has some fall plumbing maintenance tips for you. These will help you get your home ready for fall.
23 Fall Plumbing Tips
Whether you love DIY projects or prefer to hire experts, these tips will help you prepare your plumbing for cooler weather.
1. Flush your hot water heater
Flush your hot water heater at least twice a year. Fall and spring are good times to do this maintenance. Whether your home uses city water or a well, minerals and sediment build-up at the bottom of your hot water heater.
To flush your hot water heater, turn the thermostat and cold water supply off. Next, connect a drain hose to the water heater. Then, turn on a hot water faucet in a kitchen or bathroom sink and let it run.
Be sure to open the drain valve on your hot water heater and let it drain. Once you have completely drained your water heater, you can close the drain valve and remove the drain hose. Then, turn your cold water supply back on and raise the temperature.
2. Disconnect hoses
Remove all hoses connected to any exterior faucets and make sure all faucets are turned off.
3. Drain and store your garden hoses
After you disconnect your garden hoses, be sure to properly drain them! If you store them indoors, like in a garage or basement, be sure to drain all the water to prevent a mess later.
If you keep your garden hoses in a shed, drain the water from them. This will help prevent the hoses from freezing and bursting in winter.
4. Cover your faucets
Think about buying insulated covers for your outdoor faucets. They can help protect them from the cold winter weather.
5. Turn off valves that lead outside
Head to the basement or crawl spaces and find the interior shut-off valves. This will turn off the water heading outside. This will reduce the chance of burst pipes in the cold winter months.
6. Check your sump pump
Fall brings with it no shortage of rain, so be sure your sump pump is in working order. Ensure you plug it in and check that it works by pouring clean water into the base and confirming it activates.
Now is a good time to unplug your sump pump, remove it from the basin, and check the base for debris or rocks. Removing debris now will help extend the life of your sump pump.
Are you unsure if you need to replace your sump pump? Contact us today! Our team is happy to inspect your current sump pump or install a new one.
7. Check for dripping faucets
As you are removing hoses, check to see if there are any drips coming from the faucet itself or anywhere else on the fixture.
Check your indoor faucets for drips. Small drips can lead to bigger plumbing issues later. They can also cause high utility bills.
8. Insulate Pipes
You have a good chance that someone has already insulated your exposed piping, but fall is the best time to inspect it. Someone may have removed the insulation during remodeling work, or perhaps some pests damaged it.
Checking exposed piping each fall is a great way to ensure you don’t have burst pipes this winter. Don’t forget to insulate exposed pipes in crawl spaces, too.
9. Clean your shower head
While this may sound like an odd suggestion to include in our fall plumbing tips, keeping your shower in prime condition means regular cleaning! An oft-forgotten aspect is the showerhead.
Be sure to wipe it down and remove any built-up sediment. Placing vinegar in a plastic bag and attaching it to the showerhead overnight is a great way to clean while you sleep!
10. Remove drain covers and clean drains
Like our tip about shower heads, we suggest removing drain covers. This includes covers in your shower or tub.
Doing this can help you avoid clogs. Regularly take off the covers and clear hair or debris from the drain to ensure proper water drainage throughout the year.
11. Adjust your water heater temperature setting
Did you know that the factory setting for your hot water heater is often too high? It is usually higher than what you really need for your appliances and washing.
Adjusting your water heater to 115-120°F can make your home safer by preventing scalding. It also saves energy, as you’ll use less gas or electricity to heat the water.
12. Check your sump pump exterior drainage
The water in your sump pump basin needs to go somewhere, so be sure to check the exterior drain pipes.
Make sure your fittings are snug, and there aren’t any visible clogs. This will help you avoid drainage back up into your home, as well as avoid any issues with water freezing in the winter.
13. Prep for long trips
If you are a snowbird or going on a trip, prepare your home. Turn off the main water valve for long trips.
You can also ask a friend or neighbor to check your home. They can visit a few times each month. This way, you can make sure everything is working well.
14. Prep for increased rainfall by removing leaves from gutters and downspouts
While gutters and downspouts are not a feature of your home’s plumbing, they do help keep water away from your foundation.
This makes your sump pump work less. It also helps protect your foundation. Less water flows down your basement walls.
15. Inspect your appliances
Whether you have a new appliance or one you’ve used for years, fall is a great time to check how they are working. Have you noticed any odd noises? Is your washer or dishwasher not cleaning as well as it used to?
Check your appliances often. This helps you see if they need cleaning, fixing, or replacing. Doing this can prevent costly repairs or water damage.
16. Make sure your septic tank pumping is on schedule
If you have a septic tank, be sure to keep your pumping on schedule. You must check your septic tank as the state and county require this.
Checking it helps prevent overflow and stops sewage from backing up into your home.
17. Have your furnace checked
We know this is a plumbing post, so why are we talking about your furnace?
Many high-efficiency furnaces have condensed water that needs to drain. By having your furnace checked regularly, you can ensure it runs well. This includes checking the water drainage system.
18. Check under your cabinets
You’ve checked for drips and leaks in your sinks and exterior faucets, but now it’s time to look under the hood. Be sure to look at the supply and drain lines to ensure there are no leaks.
If you notice any corrosion, now is the time to take care of it (rather than waiting for holes and major leaks).
19. Inspect your softener, filter, and pump
Check your water filtration system, softener, pump, or other treatment systems this fall to ensure they are working properly. Check each system. Make sure to update all filters.
Fill the softener salt. Finish any other needed tasks. If you notice any leaks, be sure to call the Watters team!
20. Check and seal any recent plumbing changes
If you installed a new hot water heater or did some DIY work in your bathroom or kitchen, make sure you sealed everything well. Pay special attention to any vents or water lines that go outside.
21. Look for corrosion and sediment buildup
Corrosion or sediment buildup can happen on copper water lines. This is common in hot water heaters. You may also find it under your sink or in the pipes leading to your shower or bathtub.
You can gently scrub the sediment with a soft brush and vinegar. If it looks like there is a lot of corrosion under the sediment, it may be time to call in the experts.
22. Reassemble your emergency plumbing kit
While you may not have an official plumbing emergency kit, odds are you have all the pieces somewhere in your home. These include a bucket, gloves, sink plunger, toilet plunger, and a variety of wrenches.
The odds are also high that you have used these items for other projects throughout the year. Be sure to take time to find all your emergency plumbing kit supplies and put them in an easy-to-find spot.
23. Schedule a plumbing inspection with Watters Plumbing
Our team is happy to inspect your water heater or any other plumbing concerns you might have. Did you know that we have a Watters Premier Club, which includes $200 worth of inspections and free service?
When our experts inspect your system, they will also check your pressure relief valve. They will look at other parts that might cause problems in the fall. Regular inspections can help you avoid costly repairs down the road.
Contact the Professionals at Watters Plumbing Today
Regular plumbing maintenance can help you avoid big problems and expensive repairs. It also ensures the water in your home is safe to drink.
If your fall plumbing inspection identifies concerns, contact the Fox Cities plumbing professionals at Watters Plumbing today! We can check your faucets and fixtures, explain leaks in your appliances or pipes, and help you avoid corrosion and burst pipes.
Want tips for preventing your pipes from freezing in winter? We have you covered! Contact us today for more information!
