Top 3 Fall Home Maintenance Disasters

If there’s one thing all homeowners want to avoid during the fall and winter, it’s a home maintenance disaster involving their plumbing system.

To make sure this does not happen, there are several key aspects of a home plumbing system that should be examined by a plumber prior to colder weather arriving.

Pipes, valves, water heaters, faucets, guttering, and more all needs to be checked by a qualified professional to ensure they are in god working order.

Otherwise, a person may find themselves standing in cold knee-deep water in the middle of the night as the result of pipes bursting or valves not shutting off a water supply.

Damaged Pipes

Many times in basements, garages, or crawlspaces, pipes are older and installed on the outside of walls rather than on the inside of them.

When this is the case, the pipes are much more prone to being damaged due to freezing and cracking.

For virtually any pipe, even the smallest of cracks can lead to extensive damage in a structure if the pipe bursts.

A plumber can inspect the pipes and know exactly what to look for, and can either repair or replace them as needed. In places that are prone to getting very cold, heating tape or pipe insulation can be used to keep the pipes warm enough to prevent freezing.

Shut-Off Valves

Another overlooked aspect of a Naperville home plumbing system that can lead to a maintenance disaster are the shut-off valves. Whether it is the main shut-off valve or interior valves for outside faucets, they need to be inspected and replaced if necessary prior to cold weather.

Many times, these valves can get corroded over time and may not work properly when people attempt to turn off the water. If this happens when a pipe bursts, extensive water damage may result.

Water Heater Leakage

Because water heaters are put to the test during the fall and winter, they are prone to breaking down during this time of the year. A plumber can check for leakage by examining the pan located on the bottom of the heater.

If there is a buildup of water, chances are the tank has been leaking and needs to be repaired or replaced. In some cases, older heaters that have corroded or stuck seals or valves can begin leaking unbeknownst to Naperville homeowners, which can lead to flooding and extensive water damage in a basement.

If it can go wrong, it will – unless you keep up with a regular maintenance schedule. Call Jim Wagner Plumbing at (630) 577-9341 to get your Naperville, IL home inspected.