Category: Outdoor Plumbing

There is nothing quite like the arrival of spring in Fairhope, AL. It’s time to take care of your home, shake off the winter doldrums and get energized for the season ahead. One thing you should do this season is taking care of your outdoor plumbing.

When it comes to plumbing maintenance, we tend to focus on indoor plumbing. That’s important too, but take some time to head outdoors and make sure that things are working well. Here is how to proceed.

Leaky Faucets

A dripping faucet may not seem like a big deal, but think about all of those water drops adding up. That’s a lot of water, which means that your water bills are creeping up while that water drips. It’s worthwhile to check for dripping faucets outside.

Look for dripping or pooling water. To see if there is a leak further down in the pipe, close the spigot with your hand and turn the water on full blast. If the water knocks your hand off, you are in good shape. If you are able to keep it in place and contain the water, then you’ve likely got a leak in the pipe.

Clean Gutters Today

A rainy, windy winter means that there are all kinds of debris residing in your gutters. This is problematic because it impedes your water drainage, which can create water damage to your home.

Clean gutters out regularly with a broom (not your hose, which will waste water and make your bills higher).

Irrigation Inspection Time

Give your irrigation system a good once-over to make sure it is working well in advance of the heavy watering season. Replace back up batteries and check timers and date and time setting.

Check the nozzles to make sure that they aren’t cracked or full of soil and other debris. That will block the water flow. Make sure that valves are in good repair.

Inspect them well for signs of leaks or other damage. You need to count on your valves to be able to regulate the water flow.

Time to Replace Hoses?

Rubber garden hoses do an important job and they don’t last forever. Take the opportunity this spring to make sure that none of your hoses are cracked or broken.

Broken hoses mean that water will spray and leak out, instead of getting the necessary moisture to your lawn and garden.

Taking care of your plumbing means saving money. It’s worth taking the time!

With the coldest days of winter quickly approaching here at Fairhope, AL, it's important to take some time to prepare your home. As a homeowner, your time is money, because making sure that your home is airtight will save you money on your heating bills.

Your maintenance will also improve your home’s indoor air quality. Here is what you need to know.

Stock Up On Salt

One must-have in your home is a good supply of de-icing salt. Store it somewhere that it is easy to get to, like your front porch or just inside your garage.

Although it stays reasonably warm here through the winter, it doesn’t take much for a thin layer of ice to form on your porch, walkway or driveway.

You can seriously injure yourself if you slip and fall. Spreading de-icing salt will melt the ice on contact and pave the way for you to walk safely.

Make Sure There Is Adequate Insulation

You need your home to be well insulated in order to keep cool air out and warm air in. A good layer of insulation will accomplish that.

Start in the attic and make sure that insulation is installed right up against the walls and roof. Make sure that it is in good shape and not water damaged or torn. Ensure that exterior walls are well insulated inside your home and in your garage.

Don’t forget things like outdoor plumbing, vents, and conduits that can give the cold air a pathway to sneak into your home. Caulk them up to prevent the leak.

Carbon Monoxide & Smoke Detectors

As you switch the heat on this winter, it is even more important that your family is protected from the risk of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Carbon monoxide is odorless and tasteless, so you need to rely on a good detector to alert you in the event of danger. Similarly, you need working smoke detectors throughout your home to give you time to get out of your home in the event of a fire.

Check that there are fresh batteries in all of your detectors. Use the test button to make sure that they are working. A side note: don’t ever paint over smoke or carbon monoxide detectors. It can make them less effective.

Ensure You Have Good Ventilation

You need good airflow in your home, even in the winter. Why? Because a damp home costs more to heat. A heat exchange vent can help. During the winter, particularly in rooms where there is more moisture, pull furniture out from the walls so air can circulate freely.