4 Common Fall Plumbing Issues to Address

Temperatures are dropping, colorful leaves are falling and, just like that, a new season is upon us. Did you know seasonal conditions can cause plumbing issues?

At home, if you suddenly notice that water takes much longer to go down the drain, it’s time for preventative maintenance. Where should you start?

1. Blocked Drainage

When water collects in a sink’s basin before slowly passing into the drain, there could be a blockage. Particularly in the kitchen, food could be a cause for concern. In autumn, leaves may blow right into your drains where they collect, break down and get into your plumbing.

Work with a plumber to clear away any leaves from your pipes and install a drain cover that fully keeps debris out. Also get in the habit of keeping leaves, branches and other yard debris away from your foundation. Beyond your pipes, they might create a barrier that prevents water and snow from running downhill.

2. Frozen and Burst Pipes

When a pipe freezes, the ice inside expands and could break open. Burst pipes and subsequent water damage are a common winter problem but in the Northeast, it could happen in fall too.

While a plumber can loosen up a frozen pipe and replace any broken ones, you can take steps to prevent this from happening in the first place. Before the temperatures drop to freezing, have a plumber insulate your pipes with UL-listed heat tape or a thicker pipe sleeve. Prevent basement leaks by draining any water from your taps that could burst a pipe outside, leading to pooled water around your foundation.

3. Water Heater Issues

Come fall, your water heater needs to work significantly harder. This time of year, cold water that flows into the heater needs to be warmed to a comfortable temperature. The water may be 25 degrees cooler than it was in the summer, so your heater is on overdrive the entire season.

The risk of overheating and failure run higher in fall and winter for older or poorly maintained units. As a preventative measure, work with us to identity and repair any issues that could worsen. Depending on where the heater’s pipes are located, also consider having them insulated.

4. Clogged Gutters

Clogged gutters may not seem like a plumbing issue, yet neglecting eavestroughs and downspouts blocked with leaves and debris means water can’t drain off your roof. From here, it pools or drips down into your foundation. It freezes over by winter, resulting in an ice dam or slippery accumulation on the pavement below.
 
Get ready now before you’re dealing with leaks and clogs later in the season. Contact the experienced plumbers at M.J. Fahy & Sons to schedule an appointment today.