With Halloween right around the corner comes jack o’ lanterns, stocking upon candy, and picking out a costume. However, it is also a good time of year to be thoughtful about the cold winter weather that is fast approaching and how to get your home and plumbing system prepared.
Having regularly scheduled maintenance appointments for the various plumbing appliances and fixtures in your home is an inexpensive and easy way to identify simple issues and have them addressed before they escalate into major plumbing emergencies.
When the cold weather sets in and the snow starts to fall, getting caught without hot water or, a clogged drain can be dangerous and expensive. Thankfully, you can use the fall months to avoid these issues by having regular maintenance visits to inspect your systems and appliances and make sure everything is in top working order.
Two of the main parts of your residential plumbing system that should be annually inspected are:
- Water Heater: If you have a standard tank water heating system, the tank holds 40 to 50 gallons of water and works to keep that water consistently at 120 degrees. It is not often that the entire tank is emptied, unless you have several people in your household who all take a shower back to back of one another. Thus, the tank of your water heater can build up a layer of sediment over time. This residue can clog the pipes and valve and cause damage to your water heating system. Having your water heater services will include having the tank flushed and inspected, with all sediment being removed.
- Drain System: An annual check of the drainage system of your plumbing is a good way to avoid any major plumbing emergencies. This is done via video camera inspection, where a flexible hose with a camera at the end is threaded into your pipes to identify any blockages, damage, or clogs that could block your drainage system and cause broken or cracked pipes. Video camera inspection gives you real-time information on the condition of your pipes and will show if there are any tree roots, cracks, or major clogs that need to be addressed before the freezing temperatures settle in.
Having a plumbing issue escalate during a cold winter storms makes things more complicated and dangerous. Use these months during fall to prepare your plumbing for cold weather and identify and address any issues before they are complicated by freezing temperatures. Whether it's a simple plumbing check-up or any other issue, call the expert Tacoma Plumbing Company, Mr Rooter and see why they call us Mr.Rooter!
About the Author: Vincent Sposari, Mr Rooter of Tacoma
Vinnie has been a trusted plumber since 1989 and a Mr. Rooter owner since 1992. With over 31 years to back him, Vinnie has experience with a wide range of plumbing related solutions and systems. He and his team specialize in plumbing repairs, drain cleaning, emergency plumbing, and more.
