Whether you are a homeowner or a renter, you can help keep your home’s plumbing system in great condition by following these seasonal guidelines. You might think that seasonal preparation only needs to be done in the winter but actually, there’s a unique set of preparations needed for each season. We’ll make it easier for you by listing out each season’s preparations. Print out this list and then you can pull it out at the beginning of each season and get started.
Winter Preparations: Keep Pipes from Freezing
In cold climates, keeping those pipes from freezing and bursting during winter is the priority. In New Mexico, we have plenty of weather that can freeze those pipes, especially in outlying or mountainous areas. Here are the actions to take at the start of winter.
- Outside, disconnect and drain garden hoses and shut off outdoor water supply valves.
- Insulate pipes in unheated areas like on the outside of the house or in basements, garages or crawl spaces.
- When it’s going to be cold enough to freeze, turn on any faucets connected to exterior walls enough to allow a slow but steady drip.
- Keep under-sink cabinet doors open to let warm air circulate around the plumbing in very cold weather.
- Set your water heater to 120 degrees to ensure efficient performance in these colder months.
Spring Preparations: Prevent Flooding and Leaks
As the air and ground temperature rise, the risk of leaks and flooding also rise.
- Make a thorough tour of your house, basement and exterior walls and check for any sign of leaks. While you’re at it, check under sinks and in any areas where water is supplied, such as water heaters in closets.
- Turn on outdoor faucets and ensure they do not leak when closed.
- Clear gutters and downspouts of any fall or winter debris.
- Test your sump pump if you have one. Pour in a bucket of water and see if the sump pump activates. If not, call for professional repair. If your sump pump has a battery backup, test that too.
Summer Preparations: Set Up for Increased Rain and Water Usage
New Mexico summers bring our monsoons when the majority of the year’s rain can fall in a handful of short bursts. Mountainous areas typically get a lot more rain than low-lying areas. So if you have not yet checked those gutters and downspouts, do it before these storms start. Aside from storms, you may have higher water usage due to visitors, a garden or new plantings.
- If you have a drip irrigation system that supplies trees, planter boxes or vegetable beds, check them for leaks. Ensure the systems are not clogged when they are turned on.
- If there will be more cooking and therefore more food waste and grease (think barbecues!), flush drains with baking soda and vinegar and then follow with hot water.
- Check your toilet for leaks by putting a few drops of food coloring in the toilet tank. If coloring shows up in the bowl within 30 minutes, your tank has a leak that needs repair to minimize your water bill.
- Your water heater needs to be flushed annually to eliminate sediment that can build up inside from our hard water. Summer is a great time to take care of this task. The scale that forms from our hard water can be dissolved by adding 3 to 4 gallons of white vinegar to the water heater (after it is fully disconnected from power sources) and letting it sit for 6 hours. Then flush all the vinegar out. (Look online for detailed instructions.)
Fall Preparations: Get Ready for Cooling Weather
In the fall, you can get a jump on winter by draining and disconnecting hoses, installing faucet covers and taking other actions to prevent water fixtures from freezing.
- Shut off any drip irrigation systems to plantings, containers or vegetable beds.
- Check the condition of pipe insulation in unheated areas.
- Find your home’s main shutoff valve so you can turn water off if there are any leaks or frozen pipes in the winter.
Rocketman Plumbing Can Help You Any Time of Year
Any time of the year, Rocketman Plumbing is ready to help you with emergencies, inspections, repairs or any plumbing service. Our decades of providing plumbing services in New Mexico means that we know the kinds of problems that can occur in Albuquerque. We’re available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call us at (505)-243-1227 for an accurate written estimate and fast service.