The weather in Covina, CA, can get cool in the winter, especially at night. There are some maintenance steps that you should take as a homeowner to protect your residence’s plumbing system prior to the start of winter and beyond. Some of these things are simple for your average homeowner. For the more complicated tasks, such as thorough inspections and repairs, Drain Doctor Plumbing & Rooter can be of service.
Disconnecting Outside Hoses
If the weather is too cool outside for you to use your outdoor fixtures, disconnect your hoses and sprinklers and bring them inside. While we don’t often see freezing temperatures in Covina, it’s best to protect your equipment during the time of the year when it’s not frequently used. You can turn off the main water supply to these outdoor fixtures as well.
Checking Outside Drains
Make sure that the drains outside your home are not covered with debris. Water should be able to flow freely down these drains to protect your property and residence. This is an area of your plumbing system that you can have cleaned before winter arrives to avoid clogs.
Checking for Leaks
An inspection of your plumbing system can determine if you have any leaks that should be addressed. Even a very small leak in a pipe or your toilet can lead to a spike in your utility bills as well as water damage.
Keeping Your Residence Warm
A cozy and warm home makes for a comfortable indoor environment, but it’s also important to maintain your plumbing system. Keep your thermostat at a warm temperature in the winter. This is usually around 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Never let your interior temperature drop below 55 degrees Fahrenheit, as this can result in damage to your pipes caused by freezing.
You should consider having insulation installed around your pipes to protect your plumbing system. This will also boost the overall efficiency of your system and related equipment, such as your hot water heater. Insulation options include foam tubing, fiberglass batting, and spray foam.
Checking for Clogs
If any of the pipes or drains in your home are partially or completely clogged, this can impede the flow of water. You could also be left with water and waste material backing up, which is a health hazard. Preventive maintenance in the form of drain cleaning can prevent clogs and keep your plumbing system flowing properly.
We recommend that you don’t use chemical drain cleaners in your drains to clear your pipes yourself. These products are made with very caustic ingredients that can cause extensive damage to the inside of your pipes. Instead, turn to us for safer methods like hydrojetting. We can also use a drain auger to remove clogs.
Addressing Your Water Heater
Your water heater is essential for things like cooking, cleaning, and bathing. Try to schedule maintenance for your water heater at least once per year. Our maintenance tasks include draining the tank to remove any mineral deposits or sediment that have accumulated. Maintenance also provides an opportunity to inspect your water heater components and make repairs as needed. If we provide professional water heater maintenance services at your home, we inspect the anode rod in your tank. This is a sacrificial part that attracts sediment and minerals, so they do not damage and corrode the interior of the tank. We will also check valves and heating elements for signs of damage.
Servicing Your Disposal
It’s important that you only use your garbage disposal as it’s intended. Do not put large food scraps, meat, fruit or vegetable peels, or garbage down your disposal. Periodically, make sure that you clear your disposal of any debris. Make sure the unit is unplugged when you do so. Run cold water through your disposal to prevent fats and oils from clogging your pipes.
Reach out to our team at Drain Doctor Plumbing & Rooter for plumbing maintenance in the Covina area. We also offer fixture repair and installation, sewer repair, drain cleaning, pipe descaling, and more. We can help you take care of your water heater, too, so it lasts for many years and works efficiently.
If you would like to schedule plumbing maintenance services with our team here at Drain Doctor Plumbing & Rooter, contact us today.
