Fall Checklist for Oakville
As those lazy hot days of summer come to a close, it’s time to begin preparing a fall checklist for the upcoming winter season. It’s important to remember all things that aid in the running of your pools and sprinkler systems all summer long, two of them being your outdoor pipes and their faucets. The weather in general is not what is used to be (more predictable), and here at John the Plumber Oakville we feel it’s critical that you have access to this fall checklist to avoid frozen pipes and ultimately expensive water damage once the cold hits Oakville.
Draining Your Outside Faucets
First thing you need to do is disconnect any and all outdoor hoses and sprinklers – make sure that you drain them of any residual water. Pack em’ up and store them in a dry spot where they will be safe from the cold. Next, you need to go inside your home and find your main valve. Once you have, look for the individual shut off valve(s) attached to the main valve that lead to any outdoor faucets. Turn them off. Finally, go back outside and turn the outdoor faucet(s) on, you will see the residual water drain out. Note that sometimes the ceiling of the basement is where you will find the valves you are looking for!
TIP: If case you forget which way to turn a valve, “righty is tighty” (tap is off) and “lefty is loosey” (tap is on)
Insulation, Inspection and Repairs
Now that you have finished shutting down the outdoor faucets, you need to go back down to your basement and do an inspection. Take a good look at any and all exposed pipes, tighten any valves that seem loose and take note of any leaks – it’s best to repair these as soon as possible.
Pipes can freeze fairly easily and Oakville gets its fair share of bad weather. Your pipes that run along the exterior walls of your home and/ or the ones that run to your taps outdoor taps are going to be the ones that will freeze first. Note that trouble may be headed your way if you have a home that is poorly insulated. DO NOT bank on your home insurance; your deductible can still be quite costly, and this is an unpleasant experience you want to avoid if at all possible. In order to prevent this type of disaster from occurring, you may want to consider extra insulation to the pipes that are most susceptible to freeze.
Equipment Maintenance Checks
Your sump pump and your hot water tank are two important items in your home that you will want to always maintain. Sediment can build inside the tank, so it’s good to drain and refill your water heater each year, and fall is the perfect time to do so! As for your sump pump, heavy rainfall in conjunction with the spring thaw can run the pump into overdrive quickly, which can cause your basement to flood. To avoid damages and costly repairs keep your sump pump running at an ideal level and check that your weeping tile is in good condition as well – your family and your pocketbook will thank you for doing so!
TIP: For more information Oakville, check out John’s blogs on Sump Pumps and Weeping Tile!
