Fall has finally arrived in North Texas and although freezing weather is probably a couple of months off for those in Garland, Plano, Rockwall, Richardson and other surrounding Dallas areas, it isn’t too early to think about what you need to do before winter arrives.

• Make sure outside faucets aren’t running or leaking. Make any necessary repairs or call us before freezing temperatures arrive. When pipes freeze, pressure builds causing the pipes to crack and break.
• Disconnect outside hoses. If hoses are left connected to the faucet, water inside of the hoses can freeze and expand to the faucet, causing interior pipes to break.
• Your water heater receives more work in the colder months. Flush the water heater removing any sediment build up, which causes corrosion and shortens the life of your water heater. If you need a water heater repair or installation, we can help.

Plumbing Tips for Fall: How North Texas Homeowners Can Prepare

Fall is one of the best times to give your home’s plumbing system a little attention. After months of intense North Texas heat, dry conditions, and increased water usage, cooler weather provides an opportunity to find small plumbing problems before winter arrives.

While Dallas-Fort Worth doesn’t experience the same winters as northern states, temperatures can change quickly. A warm afternoon can be followed by freezing temperatures just days later. Preparing your plumbing during the fall can help prevent leaks, clogged drains, water heater problems, and frozen or burst pipes later in the year.

Here are some important plumbing tips for fall from Total Plumbing Service Inc.

1. Check for Hidden Water Leaks

After a long Texas summer, one of the first things homeowners should check for is a hidden water leak.

North Texas has expansive clay soil that can shrink during prolonged periods of hot, dry weather. Changes in soil conditions can place additional stress on underground water lines and plumbing beneath a home’s foundation.

Possible signs of a hidden leak include:

• An unexplained increase in your water bill

• Low water pressure

• Damp flooring or carpet

• Warm areas on the floor

• Wet or unusually green areas of your yard

• The sound of running water when fixtures are off

• A water meter that continues moving when no water is being used

If you notice these warning signs, professional water leak detection can help determine whether you have a slab leak, underground water line leak, or another plumbing issue.

2. Disconnect Your Garden Hoses

This is one of the easiest fall plumbing maintenance tasks—and one homeowners sometimes forget.

Once you’re finished regularly watering your lawn or garden, disconnect hoses from exterior faucets.

Leaving a hose connected during freezing temperatures can trap water inside the faucet and connected piping. If that water freezes and expands, it can contribute to damaged plumbing.

While you’re outside, inspect each hose bibb for dripping, damage, or difficulty shutting the water off completely.

It’s much easier to repair a leaking outdoor faucet on a comfortable fall afternoon than during a North Texas freeze.

3. Know Where Your Main Water Shutoff Is

Every homeowner should know how to shut off the water to their house.

Don’t wait until a pipe bursts to start looking for the valve.

Take a few minutes this fall to locate your home’s main water shutoff and make sure you understand how to operate it.

If a pipe breaks or a major plumbing leak occurs, shutting off the water quickly can help limit damage while you’re waiting for a plumber.

It’s also a good idea to make sure other adults in your household know where the shutoff is located.

4. Make Sure Your Water Heater Is Ready for Colder Weather

Your water heater becomes particularly important as temperatures begin dropping.

Colder incoming water means your system may have to work harder to provide the hot water your household needs.

Pay attention to warning signs such as:

• Hot water running out quickly

• Water taking longer to heat

• Inconsistent temperatures

• Unusual popping or rumbling noises

• Discolored hot water

• Water around the base of the tank

• A water heater requiring frequent repairs

If your system is already struggling, fall is a good time to schedule water heater repair or replacement rather than discovering the problem on a cold morning.

5. Take Care of Slow Drains Before the Holidays

A slow kitchen sink might not seem like a major problem in October, but add Thanksgiving dinner, holiday cooking, guests, and additional dishes, and that partial blockage can quickly become much more noticeable.

Don’t ignore drains that are already showing signs of trouble.

Watch for:

• Slow drainage

• Recurring clogs

• Gurgling sounds

• Unpleasant drain odors

• Toilets bubbling

• Water backing up into another fixture

If multiple fixtures are affected, the problem could be farther down the drainage system or in the main sewer line.

Professional drain cleaning can address the blockage before you’re dealing with a backed-up kitchen sink during a holiday gathering.

6. Be Careful What Goes Down the Kitchen Drain

Fall and holiday cooking can be particularly rough on kitchen plumbing.

Avoid putting grease, fats, cooking oils, coffee grounds, bones, fibrous vegetables, and large amounts of food waste down your drain or garbage disposal.

Grease is particularly troublesome because it may enter the drain as a liquid but cool and solidify farther inside the plumbing.

Over time, grease can combine with other debris and contribute to a stubborn drain blockage.

Dispose of cooking grease in the trash instead.

7. Look for Signs of Sewer Line Problems

Fall is also a good time to address sewer problems you’ve been putting off.

Common warning signs include:

• Multiple slow drains

• Recurring toilet clogs

• Gurgling toilets

• Sewer odors

• Water backing up into showers or tubs

• Recurring main-line stoppages

These symptoms can be caused by buildup, tree root intrusion, damaged piping, or other sewer line problems.

Depending on the situation, a sewer camera inspection can help determine what’s happening inside the line and whether you simply need drain cleaning or a more permanent repair.

8. Prepare Exposed Pipes for Freezing Temperatures

You don’t have to winterize your North Texas home in September, but fall is the perfect time to identify vulnerable plumbing.

Look for exposed water lines in garages, exterior walls, attics, crawl spaces, and other areas that may experience freezing temperatures.

Insulating vulnerable pipes before winter arrives gives you one less thing to worry about when a freeze warning is issued.

Remember: North Texas freezes may be relatively short-lived, but it only takes one severe cold snap to cause significant plumbing damage.

Schedule Fall Plumbing Service With Total Plumbing Service Inc.

Fall plumbing maintenance doesn’t have to be complicated. A few preventive steps can help you identify small problems before colder weather, holiday gatherings, and freezing temperatures put additional demand on your plumbing system.

If you’ve noticed a leaking fixture, slow drain, unusual water bill, water heater problem, sewer issue, or another change in your plumbing, don’t wait for it to become an emergency.

Total Plumbing Service Inc. provides professional plumbing services throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) Metroplex, including leak detection and repair, drain cleaning, sewer services, water heater repair and replacement, gas line services, and general plumbing repairs.

Our licensed plumbers can help make sure your home’s plumbing is ready for fall—and whatever North Texas winter weather brings next.

Contact Total Plumbing Service Inc. today to schedule plumbing service.