Keep the Halloween Scares Out of Your Plumbing!

October brings cooler evenings, colorful leaves, and a growing list of fall chores. While you’re putting away patio furniture and getting ready for sweater weather, give your plumbing a little attention, too. A few simple steps now can help prevent unwelcome surprises when temperatures drop.

Disconnect your garden hoses.

Before freezing weather arrives, disconnect hoses from outdoor faucets, drain them, and put them away. Leaving a hose attached can trap water and contribute to freeze damage—even with a frost-free faucet. If your outdoor faucets have dedicated indoor shutoff valves, close them and drain the outdoor lines according to your system’s instructions.

Check exposed pipes.

Look for water pipes in unheated areas, including garages and crawl spaces. Missing or damaged pipe insulation deserves attention before winter. Insulation helps slow heat loss, but pipes in especially cold areas may need additional protection. If you’re unsure, have a plumber assess them.

Give your water heater a look.

Cool mornings make a dependable hot shower especially welcome. Check around your water heater for moisture, corrosion, or signs of a leak. If you’ve noticed unusual noises, inconsistent temperatures, or less hot water than usual, schedule service before the problem interrupts your routine.

Keep fall cooking scraps out of the drain.

Soup season, baking season, and holiday preparations can be tough on kitchen plumbing. Keep grease, cooking oil, pumpkin pulp, and stringy food scraps out of the sink and garbage disposal. Let grease cool and place it in the trash, and use a sink strainer to catch scraps.

Find your main water shutoff.

Do you know how to shut off the water to your home? Make sure the valve is accessible and that the adults in your household know where it is. Finding it during a leak is a lot more stressful than finding it on a quiet October afternoon.

A Little Prevention Goes a Long Way

A dripping faucet, slow drain, or small leak is easy to overlook during a busy fall. Taking care of it now can help keep your home comfortable as colder weather approaches.

For help with fall plumbing maintenance or repairs, call Earl Gray & Sons Plumbing at 317-736-0372 or visit earlgrayandsons.com.

Keep the scares on the front porch—and out of your plumbing!