With the winter months fast approaching in Dayton, Ohio, the cold weather can wreak havoc on your plumbing systems. If pipes aren’t properly insulated or small leaks begin to form around the house, you could be in for a serious problem. There are some easy things that can be done around the home this time of the year that can give peace of mind.
Locate the main shut off valve.
One of the most important ways to avoid a disastrous flood of your home is to find out where the main shut off valve is located. This controls all of the water that moves through the pipes both incoming and outgoing. If for some reason a pipe bursts, or there is a major line break, you can quickly shut off the main valve and cutoff the source of the flooding. This could save thousands of dollars in water damage to your home, and is an easy fix until a professional can arrive to help locate the source of the problem.
Do a sink inspection.
Look under your sink. No matter how small, if a leak starts to form in the piping underneath your faucets, it may be time to see if the pipe needs replacing. Early detection can save you the hassle of a huge leak in the future.
Disconnect the garden hoses.
Many people often fail to consider that even after the spigot to the hose is turned off, there is still water trapped not only in the hose, but in the spigot as well. During the freezing Ohio winter months the water that is trapped in the hose and spigot will freeze and expand, which can crack the spigot and cause damage wherever the water is located.
Make sure the sump pump pit is cleared out.
Inspecting and cleaning out the sump pump and the pit in which it is located is crucial in avoiding a potentially catastrophic basement flood. Too many homeowners find out too late that their basement has been flooding for hours, causing severe damage to flooring and walls and leaves an unpleasant mildew smell that is troublesome to remove.
Make sure you check that the pump is working and that the pit is free of debris to avoid this.
Listen to the water heater.
If you hear a gas water heater make crackling and popping noises as the burner runs, this is a sure tell sign that there is scale buildup.
Not only will this decrease the efficiency of the heater, scale buildup in the water heaters can cause health concerns. As the sediment inside of the heater begins to build up, it will eventually rust. The rust will then find its way into your drinking and bathing water, which you can suspect is not particularly good for your health.
If you would like us to handle your winterization for you we would be happy to do so. You can reach us at 937-623-2619
