While we tend to pay closer attention to our indoor plumbing simply because we see it more often, we can't forget to also check on our plumbing outside. Outdoor pipes need care too, and here are some things you can do to keep things flowing smoothly and prevent a water leak in Springfield Missouri.
Unhook Hoses Early
Missouri weather is unpredictable and temperatures can drop like a rock with seasonal changes. These freeze/thaw cycles can have an adverse effect on your outdoor plumbing and also lead to problems indoors as well.
If you keep your water hose attached to your outdoor faucet (more commonly referred to as a hose bib), make sure it gets disconnected as the weather cools to keep water from freezing and expanding inside the hose and causing a major water leak when the frozen pipes thaw.
With the unpredictability of Missouri weather, we would recommend disconnecting your hoses early before the cold really sets in. An early freeze could catch you off guard and with a big mess.
Make Sure Your Water Is Flowing
As with indoor plumbing, your outdoor pipes need to be checked regularly to ensure your drains are running properly. If you turn on your hose bib and the water is running slower than normal, you may have a clog that needs to be dealt with.
It may be that your water is high in minerals, which can cause it to harden inside your pipes. There’s also the possibility of water freezing in your pipe if your hose wasn’t unhooked in a timely manner.
Replace Your Washers
Sometimes instead of the water not flowing, you might have water coming out of your hose bib when it shouldn’t. If that’s the case, your pipe’s washers may need to be replaced. Shut off your water supply, unscrew the nut holding the faucet, pull out the stem with pliers, unfasten the screw holding the washer, and replace the worn washer with a new one before reassembling the faucet.
If you'd rather have the pros come out and deal with any leaky faucets, give us a call to take care of the problem.
Regardless of the season, paying attention to your outdoor plumbing should be a regular part of your seasonal checklist. If during your inspection you spot a plumbing problem, don’t be alarmed. Call the professionals at United Plumbing and our expert service team can keep your outdoor plumbing in good shape all year round.