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As the crisp air settles over St. Louis, it is time to start preparing your home for colder weather and holiday gatherings. This also means that there will be more water usage in your home. While you focus on raking leaves or checking your furnace, it’s easy to overlook regular plumbing maintenance. Yet fall is one of the most important times of year to give your plumbing system additional attention.
Cold snaps can arrive quickly in Missouri, and without preparation, your home’s pipes and drains may be at risk. Following a seasonal plumbing checklist not only helps prevent emergencies but also helps to make sure that your system runs efficiently throughout the fall and winter months. This guide outlines the ultimate fall plumbing checklist for residents of St. Louis. It will help you spot potential issues and protect your home from costly repairs.
1. Inspect and Insulate Exposed Pipes
Frozen pipes are one of the largest threats during fall and winter in St. Louis. Even before freezing temperatures arrive, chilly nights can weaken unprotected plumbing. Pipes located in basements, crawl spaces, garages, or along exterior walls are especially vulnerable.
Why It Matters
When water inside pipes freezes, it expands and causes the pipe to burst, leading to water damage and expensive repairs.
What to Do
Walk through your home and garage, noting any visible and exposed pipes. Wrap the pipes with insulation sleeves or heat tape. These inexpensive materials can prevent thousands of dollars’ worth of damage.
Pro Tip: Don’t forget outdoor hose bibs. Remove garden hoses, drain them completely, and store them indoors for winter. Attach insulated covers to the spigots for added protection.
2. Test Your Sump Pump
As a St. Louis homeowner, you know that autumn can bring heavy rains along with falling leaves that clog drains and gutters. Your sump pump is your first line of defense against flooding in basements and crawl spaces.
Why It Matters
A sump pump that fails during a storm could leave your basement under several inches of water. Fortunately, this is fairly easy to prevent.
What to Do
Pour a bucket of water into the sump pump pit, and check that the pump activates immediately. Listen for unusual noises, and watch how quickly the pump clears the water. If the pump doesn’t turn on or drains too slowly, you may need to call Anton's Plumbing, Heating/Cooling & Energy Experts for professional servicing or replacement. Consider installing a battery-powered backup for your sump pump to ensure continuous operation. Power outages are more common during storms, and without electricity, your pump will not work.
3. Flush and Service Your Water Heater
As temperatures drop, your demand for hot water increases. Fall is the perfect time to make sure your system can handle the load with water heater maintenance.
Why It Matters
Sediment that builds up at the bottom of the tank reduces efficiency and can shorten the appliance’s lifespan. A poorly maintained water heater may also leave you with lukewarm showers in the middle of winter.
What to Do
Flush your water heater to remove sediment. This process involves draining a few gallons from the tank until the water runs clear. If possible, check the anode rod, which helps prevent corrosion inside the tank. If your water heater is more than 10 years old or shows signs of rust and leaks, contact Anton's Plumbing, Heating/Cooling & Energy Experts to talk about replacement options.
4. Clear Gutters and Outdoor Drains
Falling leaves create more than a beautiful autumn scene. When leaf debris accumulates, it can easily clog your gutters and downspouts. Blocked drains can also lead to water pooling around your home.
Why It Matters
Blocked drainage systems cause water to back up near your foundation. This will increase the risk of leaks, basement flooding, and even foundation damage.
What to Do
Safely clean your gutters or hire a professional from our team at Anton's Plumbing, Heating/Cooling & Energy Experts to do so. Make sure downspouts direct water at least 5 feet away from your foundation. Check that yard drains are free from debris and functioning properly.
5. Check Toilets and Faucets for Leaks
Small leaks may not seem urgent, but over time, a minor leak can waste hundreds of gallons of water. This can also significantly increase your utility bills.
Why It Matters
The St. Louis Water Division reports that leaks are one of the most common sources of wasted household water. In colder months, leaks can also worsen and lead to bigger plumbing issues. That’s why prompt plumbing repair is so important.
What to Do
Add a few drops of brightly colored food coloring to the tank of your toilet. Do not flush. If the color moves to the bowl within 15 minutes, you have a leak that needs attention. If you find leaks, call Anton's Plumbing, Heating/Cooling & Energy Experts for repairs. Fixing issues early will reduce water waste and help you avoid bigger headaches in the future.
6. Inspect Your Sewer Line
Autumn brings falling leaves, but tree roots remain active underground. Sewer lines can easily become clogged with roots, grease buildup, or other debris.
Why It Matters
A blocked sewer line can cause slow drains, foul odors, or even sewage backups inside your home. This is especially risky if you plan to host holiday gatherings.
What to Do
If you notice multiple drains backing up or hear a gurgling sound in your toilets, schedule a sewer line inspection with our team. We will perform a camera inspection to find issues in your system before they escalate into larger problems.
7. Prepare Outdoor Plumbing Fixtures
Beyond hoses and spigots, other outdoor plumbing fixtures need attention. Sprinkler systems and outdoor kitchens require winterization to prevent costly repairs.
Why It Matters
Any water left in outdoor plumbing lines can freeze and cause cracks or bursts. You can get ahead of this issue if you’re proactive.
What to Do
Shut off and drain sprinkler systems. If you have outdoor sinks or kitchens, turn off the water supply, and blow out the lines with compressed air if possible.
8. Examine Water Pressure
Water pressure is easy to overlook. It’s important, though, because extreme highs or lows may indicate hidden plumbing problems.
Why It Matters
High pressure can put added stress on pipes, joints, and appliances. Low pressure could indicate blockages, leaks, or other issues with your main water line.
What to Do
First, attach a pressure gauge to an outdoor spigot. When you check the water pressure in your home, it should be between 40 and 60 psi. Call Anton's Plumbing, Heating/Cooling & Energy Experts if readings are outside this range.
9. Schedule a Professional Plumbing Inspection
While many of these checklist items seem DIY-friendly, a professional plumber from our team will be able to spot issues in your system that are simple to miss.
Why It Matters
Preventive inspections often help to catch small problems before they become emergencies. We will assess your water heater and check for hidden leaks in your system. We will also inspect your sewer line and thoroughly test your sump pump.
What to Do
Beat the first freeze of winter. Contact Anton's Plumbing, Heating/Cooling & Energy Experts to schedule a comprehensive plumbing inspection.
Fall Plumbing Maintenance Is Essential for St. Louis Homeowners
Fall plumbing maintenance is about more than preventing frozen pipes. It helps you to avoid plumbing emergencies during the coldest months of the year. Follow this checklist, and trust Anton's Plumbing, Heating/Cooling & Energy Experts to prepare your home for the season ahead. With years of experience serving St. Louis residents, Anton's Plumbing, Heating/Cooling & Energy Experts provides plumbing inspections, repairs, and maintenance.
Call Anton's Plumbing, Heating/Cooling & Energy Experts today to schedule your fall plumbing service in St. Louis.
