Finishing Your Fall Maintenance? Did You Check The Plumbing?

With fall now here and winter not too far away, San Antonio homeowners should give thought to some of the winter maintenance tasks they need to perform to get their home ready for the colder weather. This might include installing a programmable thermostat or sealing off any air leaks. One thing you might not think about as a fall maintenance task is your plumbing. However, it’s a good idea to check the plumbing in your home to ensure that you’re ready for any hard freeze that might be coming.

• Leaking pipes: Check all of your home’s faucets and pipes for leaks and fix any that you find.
• Corrosion and rust: Look for any signs of corrosion or rust on your fittings and pipes, since these could lead to more serious problems later.
• Water pressure: Test the pressure of the water coming out of your faucets. If the pressure is low, it might show that you have a problem with either the pipes or with the aerator in the faucet.
• Drains: Check to see that the drains in your sinks and tubs are draining properly. A backed up drain or one that drains slowly indicates that the pipe has a blockage that needs to be removed.
• Toilet: Take the lid off the top of the toilet so you can observe it as you flush. Look to see if there are damaged or missing parts. You should also look for any cracks that may be leaking.
• Water heater: While you check the plumbing, remember to inspect your hot water heater. Remove the plate at the bottom and examine the burner. If the flames burn yellow, it indicates that the burner needs to be cleaned.

Deciding to check the plumbing before cold weather sets in can prevent the necessity for emergency repairs and save you a lot of money this winter. If you have any questions, please contact Beyer Boys. Our trained and experienced staff will be more than happy to help you.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in San Antonio, Texas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).