Get Your MA & CT Home Ready for the Season

Fall is the perfect season to tackle any plumbing tasks you’ve been putting off as you prepare for the chillier months ahead. We’ve put together a comprehensive plumbing checklist that will guide you through maintenance tasks to protect your pipes, investigate leaks, and help you prevent unexpected issues as temperatures drop. Ideal for preventative maintenance, a little prep work now can go a long way and save you from big problems later. Keep your Western Massachusetts or Connecticut home running smoothly this autumn season with this annual plumbing maintenance checklist.

Essential Fall Plumbing Checklist

Kitchen Plumbing Checklist

• Inspect sink drains for slow drainage or blockages and clean your drains.
• Maintain the garbage disposal by running it regularly to prevent build-up and clean it by grinding ice or citrus peels.
• Check dishwasher hoses for cracks, bulges, or leaks.
• Check that the shutoff valves in the kitchen are working properly.

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Bathroom Plumbing Preventative Maintenance

• Check for leaks on all faucets, and schedule plumbing repairs immediately.
• Install drain strainers in all sinks to prevent clogging.
• Inspect your toilet tank and bowl for cracks or leaks. You can check for hidden leaks by adding a bit of food coloring to the tank; if there’s a leak, color will appear in the bowl within 30 minutes.
• Ensure toilets flush properly. If a toilet doesn’t flush correctly, some parts may be deteriorated; contact us for plumbing service.
• Remove mineral deposits from showerheads and aerators (the screw-on tips of your faucets) by unscrewing and soaking them in vinegar overnight; gently scrub them in the morning with an old toothbrush.

Plumbing Maintenance for Water Heaters

• Set your water heater thermostat to 120°F to get the best balance of energy efficiency and performance according to S. Department of Energy.[1]
• Drain several gallons from the water heater tank to flush out efficiency-reducing sediment, carefully following manufacturer’s instructions, or request professional water heater maintenance from FSi.
• Consider replacing your water heater if your unit is more than 10 or 12 years old. You’ll enjoy greater savings from improved energy efficiency.
• Check appliance hoses for bulges, leaks, or cracks, and repair or replace them as needed.

Outdoor Plumbing Preventative Maintenance

• Clear outdoor drains, gutters, downspouts, and plumbing vent pipes.
• Turn on outdoor water and check faucets and hoses to make sure water flows correctly.

General Plumbing Maintenance Tips

• Snake slow drains, especially flood drains in your basement.
• Test-run your sump pump in advance of spring storms.
• Check under-sink pipes for leaks and repair as needed.
• Look for slow leaks in your home by taking a reading on your water meter before bedtime and checking the meter again in the morning. If the reading changes, you have a leak that needs repair.

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Schedule Plumbing Service with FSi

Hopefully, this plumbing inspection checklist gets you ready for the fall season and helps you prevent potential plumbing issues in your home! Proper plumbing maintenance now can help prevent costly repairs and help you stress less. If you need any plumbing assistance, simply reach out to the experts at FSi. We are happy to help!

[1] https://www.energy.gov/articles/new-infographic-and-projects-keep-your-energy-bills-out-hot-water