Outdoor-Fall-Plumbing-Tips-Pooles-Plumbing

Outdoor Fall Plumbing Tips from Poole’s Plumbing

The warmth of Summer officially gives way to the new Autumn season on Monday, September 23. With this seasonal change, the air slowly becomes brisker. Likewise, the days get shorter, too. Our Outdoor Fall Plumbing Tips can help you be prepared for the change in season.

Following up our initial “Indoor Fall Plumbing Tips” post, here are more easy tips that anyone can do. Just by keeping on top of things like these heading into Fall, you can avoid costly “surprises” moving into the Winter months.

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Simply making sure to disconnect any outdoor hoses can avoid many potential problems in the long run.

Water Hoses-Outdoor Fall Plumbing Tips

We can start our Outdoor Tips in a similar spot that we left off with our “Indoor Tips.” That would be around the area where our water hoses would be.

  • Disconnect…and avoid a deep freeze!– This is one of the simpler Outdoor Fall Plumbing Tips, as we just remind you to disconnect any outdoor hoses you may have. If these are left connected, the hoses could freeze. Obviously with a frozen and unconnected hose could come expansion. Thus, connected faucets or pipes that run indoors could freeze and break as a result of that expansion.

So, disconnecting all outdoor hoses can for sure be an easy way to avoid a not-so-easy situation.

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Check to be sure no outdoor faucets are leaking or dripping. This could lead to avoiding a flood later on.

Outside Faucets- Outdoor Fall Plumbing Tips

Much like the indoor faucets we discussed last post, a simple check on those outside can likewise help avoid catastrophe.

  • Avoid the Flood…Double Check for Leaks and Drips- Just check to be sure no outdoor faucets are leaking or dripping. If you see they are, be sure to tend to these repairs as soon as possible. If it is not a repair you can personally make, you will want to contact the Raleigh Plumbing professionals at Poole’s Plumbing.

Again, if there are no leaks, that is fantastic, however, if there are, you will want to contact Poole’s prior to temperatures having a chance to drop too low. Above all, you want to avoid a frozen pipe at all costs in this situation. Whether steel, plastic, or whatever the material, the pipes will crack if frozen and this could have pricey repercussions and could even lead to a flood.

  • Better Take Cover…or Make Sure of Coverage!- It is worth the time to go to a hardware or home store to get some type of insulation kit to make sure the outside faucets around your house are properly insulated. This helps you to avoid the exact problems discussed with our past two Outdoor Fall Plumbing Tips above.
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Your attention to keep downspouts clear can avoid them freezing up as temperatures sink.

Downspouts and Gutters-

  • Down with Debris…Keep Spouts and Gutters Clean!- What most consider one of the most obvious of our Outdoor Fall Plumbing Tips. Furthermore, just clear all leaves and any other debris from your downspouts and gutters. If left unattended and then water starts freezing, it could get real messy if these are not cleared by the time it thaws.

Removal of any debris for downspouts and gutters before thawing time will no question help to avoid a Fall Plumbing disaster.

Outdoors and Indoors…You’re Covered.

Between this and our previous post, we’ve offered up many Fall Plumbing Tips. If followed correctly, these should take almost no time at all. In addition, avoiding a major plumbing accident, that could be costly, is well worth that little time to invest.

If you do have further questions on any of our tips or need repairs done, contact us at poolesplumbing.com.

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Indoor Fall Plumbing Tips from Poole’s Plumbing

As the warmer weather of Summer slowly dips heading into the new season, there are many precautions you can take to avoid unneeded plumbing situations. While even the thought of “doing your own plumbing” seems preposterous, there are small measures that anyone can take at home. These measures and Indoor Fall Plumbing Tips from Poole’s Plumbing are easy to do and could help you save a bundle of money in the end. Likewise, it can also help to keep your water nice and warm with no issues as the outside temperatures drop.

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Shut Off Valves- Indoor Fall Plumbing Tips

Regardless of the season, it is smart practice to know where your homes’ main shut off valve. Likewise, if for nothing but peace of mind, be sure that you know how and are physically able to shut the valve off in case of an emergency. Whether the toilet is overflowing, a pipe has busted, or you are just doing maintenance, knowledge of the shut-off valve is essential.

  • Know where it is!– Number one, first and foremost among Indoor Fall Plumbing Tips. Also, among any at home, possible disaster avoiding plumbing situation…be aware of where the main shut off valve is in your home. In many instances, this knowledge could come in handy and even if it never does, it is good to know.
  • Open and Shut and Inside and Out!– This is one of our Indoor Fall Plumbing Tips pertaining to a time you will not be home. It is about as basic and simple as can be and anyone can do this and avoid possible issues. If you are leaving your home for an extended period of time or going on vacation, before you leave, turn the main shut off valve off. Additionally, once that is off, open all of the faucets in your home and allow them to drain.

Even though these are our Indoor Fall Plumbing Tips, one item here does involve checking outdoors. That would be, just as we suggested doing with the inside faucets, once those shut-off valves are turned off, open any outdoor faucets to allow drainage as well.

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A simple check of your water heater’s thermostat (pictured) can help avoid Fall Plumbing issues.

Water Heater Maintenance-Indoor Fall Plumbing Tips

Yes, Poole’s Plumbing is the Raleigh area water heater expert. Thus, it would seem a smart move to heed their Indoor Fall Plumbing Tips, especially when discussing ways to possibly conserve and save by mostly just keeping an eye on these units.

  • Flush it out!– Just like the valve tips, this one is almost self-explanatory. Since the temperature drops in Fall and even more into Winter, the water heater will be working harder. Thus flushing out the unit at the end of summer to remove residue and sediment will allow the unit to function at its optimum capacity. This also avoids corrosion occurring, which can actually shorten the lifespan of your water heater.
  • Check the Pressure SAFELY!– We repeat SAFELY!!! This is another of our simple Indoor Fall Plumbing Tips. Basically, you are checking the pressure relief valve of the water heater. This is done by lifting the lever and snapping it back. If the pressure is as it should be, you will see a burst of water into the drainpipe. If you do not, it is time to call Poole’s Plumbing. Remember though, this water is scalding hot so, did we mention when doing this to be SAFE?!?!
  • How’s the Weather in There?– Always be sure from time to time to check the thermostat on your water heater. This is among our Fall Indoor Plumbing Tips, however, it’s a smart practice year-round. The temperature should always be set at 120 degrees Fahrenheit for best performance.
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When leaving the house for extended periods of time set the temperature to 55 to avoid freezing pipes.

The last of our Fall Indoor Plumbing Tips pertains to when you will be leaving your home for a long period of time. Always remember to leave your heat turned on at no lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit, so that no pipes freeze while you are away.

Indoors Today, Outdoors Tomorrow (Or Soon…)

We will follow this blog post with our suggested and easy Fall Outdoor Plumbing Tips. These simple do-at-home suggestions that anyone can accomplish can help for a worry-free period through the upcoming season as the temperature begins to drop.

If you do see some type of issue when following these easy-to-follow pointers, contact the Raleigh plumbing professionals at poolesplumbing.com.

It’s Always “Cool” to Thaw and Avoiding Frozen Pipes

The second installment of our “winter plumbing tutorial,” will focus on your role in dealing with or avoiding all together the issue of frozen pipes. We all know that as the fall months of October and November turn over into the frosty winter months of December and January here in North Carolina,  there is still a chance of winter plumbing hazards, but thanks to the most trusted name in Raleigh professional plumbers, Poole’s Plumbing, you can follow the easy steps belows listed below, to try and steer clear of a costly catastrophe as you Thaw and Avoiding Frozen Pipes.

Case in point that we are not yet completely “out of the water,” when it comes to needing to know the proper steps to take to Thaw and Avoiding Frozen Pipes is the recent colder weather we have seen in the past two weeks that has dipped at night below 40 degrees and even into the lower 30’s. Your pipes can freeze once the temperature does drop to 32 degrees Fahrenheit and those most vulnerable to the possibility of freezing would be any located in a basement area, a crawl space, an unconditioned or unfinished attic, those located on an exterior wall, and even pipes located underground.

When looking at it in those terms, pretty much any homeowner would have some type of piping in one of those location, thus, the Raleigh plumbing experts at Poole’s Plumbing can assist you with a few key pointers to Thaw and Avoiding Frozen Pipes at each location you may have them. If you happen to turn on a faucet and no water pours out, it could be due to a blockage caused by ice and in each given location, these following “do-it-yourself” tips could prove priceless in avoiding disaster.

Exposed Pipes

  • Remember to open up the faucet to relieve pressure
  • When suspecting a possible frozen pipe, always shut off the main water supply in case it has burst
  • Usage of a hair dryer, electric heating pad, or space heater can help in thawing, but NEVER use an open flame to try and thaw an exposed pipe

Pipes Behind a Wall

  • The easiest and safest method with these pipes is to turn your thermostat up and wait for them to thaw.
  • In situations that need to be addressed immediately, carefully cut a whole in the wall and utilize any of the above methods listed for thawing an exposed pipe

Avoiding Frozen Pipes in the Future

  • Before the winter months arrive, be sure that all garden hoses are disconnected from any spigots
  • Keep a faucet that may be connected to a line that would be in danger of freezing open to allow just a small trickle of cold water to run over night
  • Keep cabinets that it below your sinks open to allow the warm air from your home to circulate around them
  • Insulate any exposed, external wall pipes
  • Never leave your thermostat below 55 degrees in any situation, even if going out of town or on vacation for an extended period of time.

By following these easy to do, at home tips from the pros at Poole’s Plumbing, you can not only Thaw and Avoiding Frozen Pipes, but you also can avoid serious water and financial damage with very little preparation or effort.