Summer is flying by and before you know it, the weather will be cooling off. Here’s what you need to do now to prep your plumbing and heating for fall and winter.
Disconnect All Hoses (Even Frost-Free)
Before the temperature drops too low, make sure that you disconnect all your hoses from outdoor faucets. Yes, even the frost-free ones! This will help prevent freezing and the damage that usually comes with it. For frost-free spigots, simply disconnect the hoses and you’re done. For regular spigots, make sure that you drain the spigot and close the valve before freezing temperatures hit.
Get Sprinklers Winterized
If you have an irrigation system/sprinkler on your property, you should get them winterized in the fall. This includes having your irrigation lines drained and pressurized to remove any water within them. This will help prevent freezing and damage to your irrigation lines over the winter.
Insulate Pipes
It is important to insulate any pipes in unheated areas such as attics or garages. Insulating your pipes is affordable and easy. You can buy inexpensive pipe insulation at your local hardware store and follow the simple DIY instructions.
Check Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Make sure that you check your carbon monoxide detectors in the fall and ensure that they have working batteries in them.
Change Furnace Filters
Change your furnace filter to ensure that your furnace is functioning properly and at its most efficient. This is especially important to do in late summer or early fall because as soon as the weather gets cooler, you will be using your furnace regularly.
Clean Out Heat Registers
Heat registers build up quite a bit of dust when they’re out of use in the summer. Clean them out by vacuuming before it’s time to turn the heat on for the season.
Get Your Furnace/Boiler Serviced
Last, but not least, make sure that you schedule your annual service for your gas appliances such as furnaces and boilers in the late summer or early fall. This ensures that they are all running properly and efficiently and will save you the headache of having to deal with issues and repairs in the middle of winter.
