7 Things To Do This Fall Before Calling A Plumber | Florence, SC

It’s finally fall, which means it’s time for you to start thinking about seasonal maintenance tasks for your plumbing. These simple tasks can make a big difference in your home, as any plumber would tell you. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Florence wants to make your life easier, and these are the top three maintenance tasks we recommend this fall:

1. Take good care of your outdoor plumbing. With the approaching freezing temperatures, it is important to take care of any outdoor plumbing fixtures or accessories. To protect spigots from the cold, wrap them in Styrofoam. This will prevent your pipes and faucets from freezing. You should also turn off the irrigation system and disconnect any hoses that won’t be in use over the next few months.
2. Review your water heater settings. Next, review your water heater settings. It will take more effort to heat the water as the temperature drops. Your heater will comfortably provide hot water at 120 degrees without straining it, so be sure to reduce the temperature if necessary.
3. Turn off the water if you’re going on vacation. Lastly, if your plan is to travel this season, be sure to shut off the main water valve before you leave. Otherwise, you could end up with a pipe or a leaky pipe while you’re away!

If you find yourself in need of a plumber because your home in Florence, SC, is experiencing some worrying symptoms, such as those associated with a leak or malfunctioning water heater, there’s a few things we recommend:

1. Note the timescale, signs and anything you’ve tried to resolve the issue.

Be as detailed as possible about your plumbing issue. Note the times it’s occurring: is it constant? Does it coincide with another activity? Does it only happen at certain times? Has it happened before? Note where you think the source of the problem is, and detail which plumbing tricks you’ve used to resolve the issue beforehand. Have you tried a chemical drain cleaner to shift the clog? Have you turned off the main water supply? Have you stopped using a certain fixture? The more you can tell a plumber before they arrive, the more prepared they’ll be to quickly address the problem.

2. Identify the main plumbing fixtures.

Are you familiar with the location of your main water valve? Can you locate your water heater? Do you know where the shut-off valves are? The electrical panel? Even if your handyman skills are not up to par, you can still take a walk around your property and identify the fixtures we may need to look at within and around your house. It’s better to find out before someone arrives from the plumbing company, so you can tell them straight away where to look.

3. Do a quick clean-up.

This one may seem obvious, but make sure you clean up the area before your plumbing contractor arrives. Most work around plumbing fixtures required clearance in order to work safely and not damage any other objects in the area. Where possible, move nearby objects out of the way, so that contractors have enough space to operate their tools. If there’s water damage, it’s best to try removing as much of the water as possible before a plumber arrives. Not only will this increase safety, it will help prevent mold and mildew buildup.

4. Consider other minor repairs.

You might be able to have the visiting plumber take care of other minor repairs during the same visit, if you plan in advance. For example, if you’ve got someone coming to inspect your water heater, you could ask them to take a look at another simple job, such as the stuck plug in your bathroom sink. However, it’s important to be mindful of time and materials required, and it’s better if you can prime the contractor in advance if there’s something else that could be looked at. This is so that the correct time can be allotted for the appointment.

For any of these reasons, you might need a plumbing contractor in Florence, SC:

• Broken Main Water Line

Your water supply can be cut off completely if the main water line is damaged or blocked. The property owner is responsible for repairing or replacing the main water line on their property. Any changes in the water pressure should be addressed, and any water coming up from pavement in front of the property requires investigation from a licensed plumber.

• Broken Sewer Line

Tree roots can cause sewer lines to become corroded and disrupted. This will require immediate attention from a plumbing contractor. Your home’s sewer line may be damaged if you see unequal water levels in your toilets, multiple clogged drains, basement water stains, leaking pipes, or smell foul odors outside your home.

• Misc. Water Leaks

It is common to not notice the damage at first, as water leaks can start as small pinhole leaks. Before you know it, leaks can cause damage to your building materials, warp wood flooring, and destroy plaster. You should address this type of plumbing problem as soon as possible.

• Toilet and Drain Clogs

Many homeowners have this plumbing problem. There are many ways to fix a blocked drain or toilet, so you may not always want to call a professional plumber. However, If the problem continues, it is best to call a professional because there may be more serious plumbing issues.

• Broken Water Heater

Water heaters can break due to poor wiring, problems with the gas line, and old age. If the water heater is indeed old, you should consider replacing it. If not, contact a professional to diagnose and fix the problem. For any plumbing problems in Florence, SC, talk to a plumber at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Florence.

Photo By morenina at Shutterstock