You’ve heard all the tips to prep your pipes for potential damage in the winter–clean out excess water, insulate where needed, turn off exterior faucets– but did you know that you should also go through a checklist when transitioning to the warmer weather?
Check for any Winter Damage
It’s always a relief to get through a cold snap without experiencing a burst pipe or power outage. But even if you get through the colder seasons without any major damage, there might be lingering damage that is hard to spot around your property. Be on the lookout for leaks or cracks in your pipes that need to be fixed before developing into a greater problem.
Turn Down Your Water Heater
A hot shower feels great during the cold weather–especially in Minnesota. Having hot water at your disposal in the winter means you might need to turn up your water heater, but once the cold recedes, you won’t need to use as much energy to compensate for colder temps. Now that the worst of the season’s icy temps are over, it’s safe to turn your water heater’s temperature back down and save a few dollars on your electric bill.
Watch for Spring Root Growth
Certain trees and plants can go dormant during the winter. Once the warmer weather returns, roots expanding and looking for water after the ground thaws can damage your underground pipes or septic system causing blockages or sewage backup. Symptoms of root damage to pipes include:
- Slow emptying drains
- Sinkholes in your yard
- Collapsed or blocked pipes
- Bad odors from sewage backup
Prevent Sewer Overflow from Spring Flooding
Spring flooding and melting snow can add excess moisture to your home (often resulting in mold growth) but it can also become too much for your septic system to handle and cause sewer or drain overflows. You can prevent this from happening with a few steps:
- Invest in a sump pump. Should your home or basement pool with water, a sump pump will collect the water and direct it away from your home.
- Install an alarm or alert system. These are designed to alert you if excess water gathers near your foundation, alerting you before a minor issue becomes a big problem.
- Install an automatic backwater valve that will prevent water (above a certain level) from backing up into your home or drains.
Should your home fall victim to one of these springtime problems, contact the experts at Royal Renovations. From water damage to sewer backups, we’ll help get your home back in working order this–and every–season.c