As the seasons change and the vibrant Autumn colors make their way across our landscape, it’s not only time for us Minnesotans to take advantage of the last few weeks of temperature-friendly outdoor activities, it’s also time to make sure some essential home maintenance tasks are completed to ensure a smooth transition into Winter. Preparing your home for the colder months is always necessary in our region, especially when it comes to your plumbing and drain systems. As a 3rd generation plumbing and drain cleaning company, we’ve dealt with winter related emergencies for decades and we understand the importance of a proactively prepared home.
- Main Line Maintenance Cleaning: Avoid the extra hassle that comes along with bringing our large drain cleaning machines into your house through the messy and wet winter snow.
Reach out to Ken’s Sewer Service to schedule your main line and internal drain line cleanings on maintenance before winter and before an untimely and emergency back-up occurs.
- Outdoor Faucets and Hose Bibbs: Before the temperatures drop significantly, remove hoses, shut off the outdoor water supply and drain the pipes. Store the hoses properly to prevent freezing and potential cracks. And, there is still time to schedule service for any leaking exterior faucets and installing upgraded frost-free sillcocks.
- Prepare Outdoor Plumbing: If you have an irrigation system, pool or any outdoor plumbing fixtures, ensure they are properly winterized. Water left in these systems can freeze and cause extensive damage.
- Heating System Checkup: Before winter arrives, have your heating system professionally inspected and serviced. This will optimize its performance and ensure it operates safely and efficiently. Also, clean and cover your AC unit. If you need to schedule an HVAC tune-up or are interested in a replacement system, Ken’s Sewer Service can guide you in the right direction.
- Inspect and Clean Gutters: As the leaves fall, they tend to accumulate on your roof and in your gutters and downspouts. Removing leaves, sticks and debris thoroughly helps prevent water blockages, which can lead to water damage and ice dams in winter. Unfinished attics should also be properly insulated to avoid ice dams. Also, trim tree branches that are touching or too close to the house, roof and windows.
- Drainage Maintenance: Ensure that the grading around your home’s foundation encourages proper drainage. Redirect water away from the foundation with properly fitted downspout extensions to prevent water seepage and flooding.
- Test Sump Pump: Fall typically brings increased rainfall, and your sump pump plays a critical role in keeping your basement dry. Test the pump to ensure it’s in proper working condition, and if you don’t already have one in place, please consider installing a backup power source in case of power outages. If you need to replace your sump pump, give us a call to schedule with one of our plumbers.
- Insulate Exposed Pipes: With our colder and sub-zero temps, any cold water or drain pipes located in any unheated areas like an attic, basement, crawl space and garage or inside an uninsulated or poorly insulated exterior wall are all susceptible to freezing. Insulate these exposed pipes with foam sleeves or heating tape to protect them from the cold. Frozen pipes can crack or burst with the freezing water expanding in the lines and it can also be costly to attempt to unfreeze the line and get the faucet or drain flowing again.
- Seal Windows and Doors: Inspect the weatherstripping around windows and doors, and replace any damaged seals. Properly sealed openings will keep the cold air out and help maintain a comfortable indoor temperature.
- Chimney and Fireplace Cleaning: If you have a chimney and fireplace, have them cleaned and inspected by a professional. This will prevent chimney fires and ensure proper ventilation.
- Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Check and replace batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. With windows and doors closed during winter, it’s imperative to have working detectors for health and safety.
- Stock up on Winter Essentials: Prepare for the winter by making sure you have the essentials like snow shovels, ice scrapers, ice melt, a roof rake, flashlights and extra batteries. Test-run your snowblower.
If you encounter any plumbing or drain issues during this process, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our expert team for reliable and efficient solutions. Staying proactive helps ensure a warm and comfortable home throughout the season!
952-929-4146
Kenssewer.com
