Fall has officially arrived and the weather will soon be getting cold. The harsh winter weather puts probably the most wear and tear on your plumbing system of anything. Make sure that your plumbing system is ready to stand up to the cold weather by following these simple tips. Being proactive and using the mild weather of fall to get prepared will pay off in the long run by helping you to avoid the cost and stress of a major plumbing failure.

• Blowout your sprinklers: Leaving standing water in your sprinkler system during the cold weather will quickly lead to damage to your pipes and sprinkler heads. Make sure that you have your sprinkler system blown out now, so that when you turn your system on in the springtime you don’t find water spewing out everywhere.
• Gutters and downspouts: If you haven’t done so already, now is the last chance to clean out your gutters and downspouts before the heavy rains of fall hit. If your downspouts and gutters are blocked with debris, the water will not have anywhere to go and will instead pool around the foundation of your home.
• Unhook your garden hoses: The garden hoses around the outside of your home are no longer needed as the cold weather set in, yet keeping them hooked up could put your plumbing system at serious risk. When the water inside of the hose freezes, it won’t crack the hose but it will cause a blockage in the line which then causes pressure to build. The pressure could cause a crack in your plumbing pipe.
• Insulate your outdoor plumbing: If you have pipes outside that are exposed or, if you have plumbing in a wall that is outward facing, make sure the plumbing and pipes are well insulated and protected. A crack in these pipes will cause water to flood and create serious damage to your home.

While the cold weather is coming and your plumbing is vulnerable to it, there are things you can do to get ready and protect your plumbing as much as possible. Each year, the cold weather hits and surprises everyone – be prepared this fall and get your plumbing in shape for cold weather.