Fall Home Maintenance Checklist

Fall Home Maintenance 

Its that time of year, again! The official start of fall is just a week away! Even though fall is a busy time of year for most of us with festivals, celebrations, and holidays, its important that you don’t neglect your house during this time of year. Fall comes with its very own set of fall home maintenance tasks that shouldn’t be ignored! Fall gives way to winter and if you aren’t on top of your home maintenance, the harsh winter weather can be damaging to your home and property. Today we’re going to talk about some easy fall home maintenance tasks that you should make sure to get done this year!

 

Fall Home Maintenance-

  1. Clean your gutters and your downspouts, and make sure your downspouts have plenty of room to drain.
  2. Check all your outside doors for weather stripping. This can make all the difference with the inside temperature of your home and can save lots of money on your utility bills.
  3. Check the grading around your house and walkways. This can keep your basement or your foundation dry in case of lots of rain or melting snow.
  4. Pull weeds and hidden debris in and around your yard and flower beds.
  5. Shut off the water taps and make sure all your outdoor taps are drained.
  6. Trim your trees to make sure none of them are hanging over your home. If your tree branches ice over during the winter and become heavy, they could fall on your home.
  7. Mulch any young or vulnerable plants and trees. This can help them survive the harsh winter temperatures.
  8. Pack up all your outdoor furniture and decor. Winter temperatures and precipitation can be harsh on outdoor furniture.
  9. Check all your outdoor lighting to make sure it works. Winter means colder temperatures and less daylight hours!
  10. Make sure any outdoor trash cans or recycling receptacles are easily accessible. No one wants to trudge through ice, slush, or snow to take out the trash!

Following these 10 easy fall home maintenance tips can get you and your home set up for success throughout the upcoming fall and winter seasons. If your home’s plumbing needs maintenance or any repairs, or if you need an emergency plumber this fall, contact the professionals you can trust at Masterflo Plumbing. We’re available for any of your plumbing needs 24/7 at (678) 822-7095!

Common Water Line Issues

Common Water Line Issues

Last week on the blog we talked about issues with the water pressure inside your home. Today we’re going to talk about some other common water line issues that you may face as a homeowner! The water line is the main pipe that brings water in to your home from your municipal water source. This crucial component of your home’s plumbing system is key to providing safety, sanitation, and comfort to you and your family. Generally, water lines will last a long time as they are designed to last up to a hundred years! While modern water lines are designed to last a long time, they aren’t invincible and under certain circumstances they can encounter problems. These problems can severely limit the lifespan of your water line. 

There are two very common water line issues that you may encounter as a home owner. Let’s take a look at those two issues today so that you can be aware of what to look for. 

common-water-line-issues

Common Water Line Issues

  1. Tree Roots– Tree roots are always growing and looking for water sources. Usually, these water sources are natural, but not always! Tree roots seek out any water source they can find, and sometimes this can be your water line. Once tree roots find their way into your water line, they will continue to grow and expand and can eventually cause some major water line problems. Eventually, this can affect the flow of water through your pipes and can even poke holes in the pipe. Fixing this problem can be costly. The best way to avoid this problem is to have your pipes inspected every year by a professional plumber. 
  2. Corrosion– While modern pipes are designed to resist corrosion, they are not completely immune to every type of corrosion. Formicary and pitted corrosion can still occur in your water line. These kinds of corrosion can significantly weaken your pipes, which will eventually lead to holes and leaks. Again, the best way to combat corrosion in your water line is to have an annual inspection of your home’s plumbing system. If corrosion is caught early, it can be repaired and you can avoid having to replace your water line.

While these common water line issues can be bothersome, with the right plumber they can be fixed! Call Masterflo Plumbing today at (678) 822-7095 to schedule your annual maintenance inspection or if you suspect you may be facing one of these issues!

Water Pressure Problems

Water Pressure Problems

Getting the water pressure in your home “just right” is largely a matter of personal preference. There is a wide range for what’s considered normal when it comes to the water pressure in your home. However, there are all kinds of issues that can lead to water pressure problems in your home. These issues can cause your water pressure to be too high or too low, and should be addressed. Although low water pressure and high water pressure can be misconstrued as simple annoyances, not having the correct water pressure in your home can actually be doing some serious damage to your home’s plumbing. 

water pressure

 

Low Water Pressure

Low water pressure is generally first noticed in the shower. If you’ve got low water pressure in the shower it can be difficult to get clean! You may also notice low water pressure in the kitchen if it takes you awhile to fill your sink or pots. Low water pressure may also give you a whistling sound in your faucets when they’re running. 

You can determine if your water pressure is too low by getting a water pressure gauge from your local hardware store. Use the gauge to test your water pressure at your hose spigot. If its under 30 psi, you could be doing damage to your home’s plumbing.

Low pressure can be caused by several things including leaky pipes, a blockage in your pipes, or a problem with your local water municipality. All of these issues can be fixed by calling a professional plumber. Allowing these issues to fester can cause further damage to your home and property.

High Water Pressure

If the water coming out of your fixtures is painfully hard or if you hear a loud thumping sound when you turn off your water, you may have high water pressure. Anything over 80 psi is too high and could cause damage to your home. If your pressure is too high, you may have excess strain on your pipes, fittings, and fixtures. Short term, this may not be a problem, but in the long run this can cause your pipes and fittings to crack and leak. 

If you live at the bottom of a hill and water travels downhill to get to you, or if you’re near a large building with large water consumption, you may have excessively high water pressure. Generally, these problems can be fixed by having a professional plumber install a pressure regulator on your main line.

If you’re facing water pressure problems in your home, call Masterflo Plumbing today at (678) 822-7095!