As the leaves fall and Halloween decorations go up around Little Rock, there might be more lurking in your home than ghosts and goblins. Fall is the perfect time for spooky fun, but not when it comes to your plumbing. Seasonal changes can cause real trouble for your pipes if you’re not prepared. To avoid any hair raising surprises, it’s important to understand the common plumbing issues to watch for this fall, and how to stop them before they haunt your home.
What’s Lurking in Your Plumbing This Fall?
As the weather cools down, homeowners tend to spend more time indoors, cook more meals, and use more hot water. Meanwhile, dropping temperatures and seasonal debris can quietly impact your plumbing system. That’s why now is the ideal time to take stock of your home’s pipes, drains, and appliances. Here are the most common plumbing issues to watch for this fall, and how to prevent them from turning into a full blown fright.
Ghoulishly Clogged Drains
Between holiday cooking, falling leaves, and more time spent indoors, your drains can quickly become a nightmare. Kitchen sinks take on extra grease and food scraps, while bathroom drains may deal with more hair and soap scum. Outdoors, leaves and debris can clog gutter systems and exterior drains, leading to backups or flooding.
One of the most common plumbing issues to watch for this fall is a clogged drain that escalates into a bigger problem, like water damage or burst pipes. Avoid this fright by being careful what goes down your drains and scheduling a seasonal cleaning if necessary.
Water Heater Woes That Send Chills
Nobody wants an unexpected cold shower, especially as the temperatures begin to drop. Your water heater works harder in fall and winter as demand increases. If it’s older or hasn’t been serviced in a while, it could be on the verge of failure.
Sediment buildup is another culprit. Over time, minerals can collect at the bottom of your water heater tank, reducing its efficiency and increasing the chance of malfunction. This makes water heater trouble one of the top common plumbing issues to watch for this fall. A quick inspection can help you catch small problems before they turn into a bone chilling breakdown.
Creepy Pipe Leaks and Cracks
Temperature shifts during fall can cause pipes to expand and contract, especially those located in uninsulated or outdoor areas. If your pipes already have minor cracks or loose fittings, colder weather can make things worse. By the time winter rolls in, you could be dealing with burst pipes and water damage that costs thousands to fix.
Among the common plumbing issues to watch for this fall, slow leaks are often the most dangerous because they can go unnoticed until serious damage has occurred. Keep an eye out for signs of plumbing issues, such as unexplained water puddles, low water pressure, or unusually high water bills.
Preparing for the Freeze Before It Strikes
Frozen pipes are a winter nightmare, but the time to prepare is now. Fall is your chance to protect vulnerable pipes before freezing temperatures arrive. Insulate exposed pipes in garages, crawl spaces, and exterior walls. Disconnect outdoor hoses and shut off exterior faucets. If your home has a history of freezing pipes, now is the time to talk to a plumber about long term solutions. Prevention is key, and ignoring this step can leave you with a plumbing horror story no homeowner wants.
Don’t Get Spooked, Get Ahead of Plumbing Problems
Don’t let plumbing problems sneak up on you this fall. From clogged drains to creepy leaks, Airmasters Heating and Air Conditioning is here to help with all your plumbing needs in the Little Rock area. Our experienced team can tackle all the common plumbing issues to watch for this fall, and prevent them from haunting your home all winter long. Contact us today to schedule your fall plumbing inspection.
