Have you ever crouched under the kitchen sink trying to thaw frozen pipes with a hairdryer?

If so, ditch the hairdryer and read on.

Cold weather conditions are not kind to our plumbing, but it doesn’t mean you can’t do anything about it. We know how important access to clean water is, so it pays to put some preventative measures in place.

Take the next step and use our fall checklist to make sure you’re winter-ready.

Check Your Water Pressure

Low water pressure can be a sign that your pipes are freezing. Avoid a water-less winter by checking the water pressure.

If you don’t have a pressure gauge, turn on the sink and shower in the bathroom and flush the toilet. If the water flow in the shower drops, this usually means there’s a pressure issue.

You might also want to look into upgrading your internal plumbing. Especially if you live in an older home.

Look For Any Leaks

Now is the best time to check your home for leaks in the bathroom, kitchen, and laundry. There are many ways to do this, including:

• Monitoring the water bill for sudden increases
• Watching the water meter for hidden leaks
• Checking for puddles or greener patches of grass
• Looking for water damaged cabinets

A leaky faucet might seem like a non-issue, but water damage can be costly if left untreated. Call your plumber before it’s too late.

Clear Your Gutter Debris

Cleaning your gutters and downpipes is an easy, yet overlooked task. Clogged gutters will obstruct water from safety escaping your home; and, in the rare event, snow from thawing off the roof.

Instead, it can block your outside drains causing leaks, flooding, and damage to your home.

Clean Your Drains

If you have long hair, you’ll know a clogged drain when you see one. To check your drains, turn the faucet on and see how fast (or slow) the water drains. The same goes for your shower and tub.

Slow drainage might point to a blockage issue. Call your local plumber and get it checked out before it becomes a major issue.

Disconnect Your Outside Water Hoses

Every now and then, we get a cold snap that makes us wish that summer would come around sooner.

When the cold weather hits, it doesn’t hurt to disconnect your garden hoses. Remember to store them somewhere dry to prevent them from cracking.

And if you have a sprinkler system, drain it and shut off the main valve. This will prevent any build-up of water freezing in the pipes.

Prepare Your Plumbing With a Winter Checklist

Avoid frozen pipes by prepping your plumbing before the chilly seasonal change. With our winter checklist, you can rest easy this winter.

But accidents happen. And if disaster does strike, it’s time to call in the cavalry. Louis Mechanical Contractors provide residential and commercial plumbing services in Baton Rouge, LA.

Whether it’s a leaky faucet or a faulty water line, no job is too big or too small for our expert team.

Has your plumbing got you down? Contact us today.