Plumbing

A sudden frost can leave you scrambling when an unprotected pipe bursts or a frozen spigot won’t deliver water. In the fall, you can spot leaks, clear drain lines, and wrap vulnerable pipes so that winter’s chill stays outside where it belongs.

Winterize Your Outdoor Faucets and Spigots

When temperatures dip below freezing, water trapped in an exterior faucet or fixture can cause cracks or burst pipes. Find the indoor shutoff valve that serves each outdoor faucet and close it fully. Turn on the exterior handle and let any leftover water drain out. Leaving this handle open prevents ice buildup inside the pipe. Next, look for any gaps or cracks around spigots. Seal around pipes using silicone caulk to block cold air from coming inside. Finally, consider investing in a foam spigot cover rated for winter use. This barrier shields the faucet from the first hard freeze. You can also invest in freeze-proof fixtures.

Drain and Store Your Garden Hoses

A garden hose full of water turns into a tube of ice overnight. This increases the risk of a hose splitting. Disconnect each hose and drain them fully. Store hoses indoors to prevent trapped moisture from freezing and weakening the rubber over the long winter ahead. Take a moment to inspect each metal fitting for scale or debris. A quick soak in white vinegar dissolves mineral deposits. Dry the fittings completely.

Insulate Exposed Pipes in Unfinished Spaces

Basements, crawlspaces, and detached garages are susceptible to frozen pipes. Consider investing in additional insulation for these areas. Professional installation can ensure products are installed properly with no gaps remaining. We can install heat-trace cables along pipes that are at a high risk of freezing as well.

Service Your Sump Pump and Discharge Line

Michigan’s fall rains can soak the soil around your foundation, so your sump pump must be able to handle this demand. Remove the lid on the pump basin and clear away debris that can clog the inlet screen. Pour a bucket of water into the pit until you hear the pump motor hum and sense water rushing through the discharge pipe. If your discharge line is above ground, make sure it carries water at least 6 feet from the house and slopes away to direct flow downhill. If water pools too close, add an extension or reroute the piping toward lower ground. Finally, check any backup power source by simulating a power outage so that the pump can run on battery or generator.

Exercise Main and Fixture Shutoff Valves

When a pipe leaks in winter, you benefit from a shutoff valve that moves without sticking. Start at the main valve near your water meter or where the supply line enters the home. Turn it off completely and then back on, applying a drop of valve lubricant on the stem to smooth any rough spots. Move through each sink and toilet shutoff, giving each one a quarter-turn in both directions. A valve that resists movement or drips requires professional attention before a burst pipe creates an emergency flood. Mark any valves with worn handles or stiff action so that you can schedule to have them replaced. Practicing valve operation now keeps you ready to isolate a leak in seconds instead of minutes when heat loss freezes a section of pipe and water threatens to damage your home.

Check Water Pressure and Clear Interior Drains

High levels of water pressure stress fittings and joints until they have the potential to fail at an inconvenient time. Wrapping threads with plumber’s tape promotes a leak-free seal. We can use a pressure gauge to ensure you have ample water flow that is safe for your plumbing system. We open the faucet fully and watch the gauge settle. A reading between 40 and 60 pounds per square inch is sufficient for your system without overpressurizing it. If pressure readings are above 70, it’s important to locate the pressure-reducing valve near the main shutoff. Turning its adjustment screw down until the gauge holds at a safer setting is ideal.

Scheduling professional drain cleaning frees trapped debris. Flushing the trap under kitchen and laundry sinks removes greasy buildup. Check outdoor drains for an accumulation of leaves, grass, and other debris. As cold weather arrives, it’s possible for ice to form over drains, impeding the flow of water. Ice is more prevalent if water can accumulate over the top of debris.

Adjust Household Water Use for Colder Days

Your hot water demands shift when outdoor temperatures plummet and holiday gatherings boost usage. Take two quick back-to-back showers and time how long it takes before warmed water gives way to a cool trickle. Start your dishwasher during one of those showers and note any dip in water warmth. This hands-on test shows the real-world capacity of your system. If performance slips, try spacing showers 10 minutes apart or running the dishwasher after morning routines. Keep a small notepad by the main valve to record peak-use days and share that schedule with family members. By mapping your household habits now, you prevent surprise chills later and keep everyone comfortable even on Michigan’s coldest mornings.

Schedule a Professional Water Heater Inspection

Your water heater works harder in the fall as incoming cold water demands more energy to heat. A professional inspection and maintenance includes draining the tank to flush out mineral sediment that settles at the bottom and reduces efficiency. We’ll inspect the anode rod and replace it if it’s worn or excessively covered in mineral deposits. This protects the tank lining from rust and corrosion. We test the temperature-and-pressure relief valve to confirm it opens freely and reseals without drips. Adjusting the thermostat to maintain your chosen temperature safely without overworking the elements is necessary. With precise calibration and a clean tank, your water heater delivers reliable hot water through Michigan’s chilly mornings and reduces energy costs, all without DIY guesswork.

Winterize Sprinkler and Irrigation Lines

Your in-ground sprinkler system hides lines of pipe under your lawn. These lines can crack when water freezes inside them. Our professional team will perform a full system blow-out using an air compressor to clear each zone of standing water. We hook into your irrigation manifold, pressurize each circuit to the manufacturer’s specifications, and verify zero residual moisture with pressure gauges. We also inspect backflow preventers and drain valves, replacing worn seals to avoid leaks next spring. By trusting experts to winterize your irrigation system, you prevent split pipes, ensure reliable operation when you reactivate in spring, and protect your landscape investment without lifting a shovel.

Schedule Your Fall Plumbing Service Today

At Service Professor, we serve Grand Rapids homeowners with leak detection, drain cleaning, and sump pump installations. Our licensed plumbers arrive equipped to fix troublesome valves, replace old shutoffs, and install insulation sleeves. Whether you need a winter-ready tune-up or emergency repairs, we deliver skilled service you can count on. Contact us now to book your plumbing appointment before the freeze arrives.

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