Plumbing and Heating Maintenance Checklist
The spring season is the perfect time in which to get those plumbing and heating services repairs done before the next winter. This is especially important if you live in areas that have had extremely cold winters.
Here’s a helpful checklist of essential and energy efficiency repairs that need to be done before the winter arrives with its damaging storms.
Central Heating Maintenance
For starters, you’ll want to make an appointment to get your boiler checked and serviced so that it’s able to serve you well during the winter, and if you don’t already, then you should have a service arrangement in place to take care of the regular maintenance of your plumbing and heating. You should also use this time to change the filters on your furnace and replace them with new, clean ones, as this will greatly improve the efficiency and heat distribution of your HVAC while keeping your energy bill in check.
Protect Your Plumbing
Drain the Water Heater – Did you know that draining the backlog of sediment from your water heater makes it 50% more efficient? Yes, the process causes your heater to work like the well-oiled machine that it was designed to be, and if the draining process seems beyond your scope of expertise as a DIYer, then you can always call a professional to do it for you.
Maintain Your Water Heater – It is recommended to service your water heater at least once a year to protect it from deterioration.
Insulating Water Lines – Check your exterior pipes and water lines for proper insulation, and clean them thoroughly to eradicate any dirt and debris that might cause clogging and damage. Get plumbing insulation and wrap it around the pipes to keep them from freezing during the winter.
Drain Outdoor Hoses – Remove any standing water that might be remaining in your outdoor hoses and then store them in an appropriate position. Do the same for your outdoor faucets, and use hose bibs to close the interior shut-off valves as well.
Seal Your Drafts and Add Insulation
Pay special attention to any drafts that may be present around your windows and doors, and change the weather stripping in these areas to prevent drafts from forming during the winter. Add extra insulation to any uncovered roof joist in your attic, and be sure to double up on the insulation if you live in an extremely cold climate. To make your home more energy efficient during the winter, arrange a professional energy audit to spot any loopholes that need to be fixed, and make sure that they’re taken care of to improve your home’s energy efficiency.
Inspect the Gutters, Roof, and Chimney
The bulk of your plumbing and heating services depend on the efficient function of these three core features. First, check your roof for problems like missing shingles or dips in the roof that might need the attention of a professional. Clean out your gutters to remove all those dead leaves that collected inside during the fall, and call a professional to unclog any difficult clogs that you find. Lastly, the creosote buildup on your chimney can cause real havoc and can be a safety hazard if left to accumulate for too long. It’s important to get a chimney sweep to inspect your chimney at least once a year, and perform any repairs that need to be done before the busy winter season takes over.
Keep Your Lawn Clean
Collect the fallen leaves and pull out any weeds you find on your lawn before you aerate and fertilize it in order to keep it healthy.
Take Garage Stock
While it may seem as though your garage maintenance doesn’t have much to do with your plumbing and heating services, keeping it clean can make your home more efficient during the winter. So, make sure to get a professional to inspect your garage door for any damage that needs repairs and get it done immediately. Also, remove any items that might freeze during the winter to avoid wastage.
Lastly, it’s also a good idea to take out all the winter equipment and tools that you’ll be using, like snow shovels, so that they are within reach when you need them.