With fall already here in the Lehigh Valley, it’s time for some homeowner tips on how to prepare your plumbing for the drop in temperatures that will eventually lead to winter here in Allentown, PA.

If you take a couple, simple preventative measures today, it can save you a lot of headaches and repairs when the temperatures drop below freezing.

• Disconnect your outside water hoses. If you leave hoses connected, water in the hoses and the connections can freeze and burst pipes as the freezing water expands. This can lead to expensive repairs that could have been prevented.
• Fix any leaking or damaged outdoor faucets. It’s easier, and far cheaper, to fix leaks now in the fall rather than waiting for them to develop into something much worse in the winter. Leaks are a sure sign that water will eventually find a way to escape and freeze, leading to burst pipes and expensive repairs.
• Install an outdoor faucet cover! Here in the Allentown, PA, area, it’s a given that we will get freezing weather, so protect your outdoor pipes with a Styrofoam faucet insulation kit available at your nearest hardware shop or home center.
• Pipes that are inside your home, but in unheated areas such as your crawlspace, under your porch, or in your garage, can still freeze. Insulate those pipes from the elements by using special tape or heating cables (just be sure they are installed safely).
• If you have drafty doors or windows, use insulation to help keep the elements outside.
• Perform preventative maintenance on your hot water heater by flushing it outyou’re your manufacturer’s recommendations.
• Safely clear your gutters from fall leaves to ensure they are open for winter ice and snow melt.
• If you have a sump pump, now is the time to be sure it is in good working condition. If allowed to freeze, the pump may no longer function.
• Heading south for the winter? Be sure to reduce risk by turning off your main water valve and drain the system by opening the faucets at the highest and lowest points of the structure. Keep the heat on and set to at least 55 degrees to avoid freezing issues.

If you run into any issues getting your home ready for the fall and winter seasons, reach out to professionals at L&M Plumbing by calling (610) 756-3069 today. You can count on us to help protect your home this winter.