Before you know it, the beautiful fall foliage will have disappeared, and the first signs of a blustery Manhattan winter will emerge. The coming of winter in New York means that every home and building owner should make sure their plumbing and heating system is ready for the cold season. Without proper plumbing and heating, your home is left vulnerable to a slew of preventable issues. Use our Manhattan plumbing checklist before every winter.
Check For Leaks and Fix Them Before Winter
The time to look for leaks in your plumbing is now, not when it’s 3 degrees outside. It’s a good idea to inspect your plumbing every year before the autumn season ends. If there are any leaks, you will be able to get them fixed before the cold weather arrives. And don’t be fooled by leaks that appear minor. Once the temperature drops, it will be harder to take care of that particular plumbing issue, and it will grow into a bigger problem with greater damage as time goes on. Nip it in the bud as soon as you see it, and you won’t have to deal with it in the winter. If you’re not able to check the pipes yourself, it is best to hire a professional plumber to inspect everything for you.
Tend to Your Outdoor Hoses
If you’re a renter in Manhattan, it’s highly unlikely that there will be any outdoor hoses for you to take care of before winter. However, if you’re the landlord or you own your home, and you have hoses outside, these will need to be taken care of before the cold weather hits. Make sure that all hoses around your property have been properly drained and disconnected. If you leave them out during the winter, no matter how durable they are or how mild the winter might seem, they’ll be at greater risk for serious or even permanent damage. That’s why, after draining and disconnecting, you’ll need to store them somewhere safe and warm, preferably indoors. Finally, you’ll need to completely shut off any valves outside of your home or building to make sure no water is leaking, and no damage will be done to your pipes.
Keep Your Pipes Insulated
If you’ve never insulated your pipes before and don’t know if they are insulated, you’ll want to call in a professional Manhattan plumber. For the most part, it’s unlikely your plumbing lines will end up freezing, but there are certain spots around a person’s property (such as crawlspaces) that may have lines that need to be insulated. If you know how to insulate the pipes yourself, head to the local hardware store and pick up some plumbing insulation. However, for the best results, it’s a good idea to hire a professional Manhattan plumber to do the insulation work for you.
Get an HVAC Tuneup
One of the worst things to deal with during an East Coast winter is heating that doesn’t work. At best, it’s uncomfortable, and at the very worst, it can become seriously dangerous. Before winter hits, hire a technician to check out your HVAC unit and make sure it’s up to par. This will save you from any unexpected breakdowns and expensive repairs.
The lesson is maintenance saves money. Looking for more advice on how to prepare your plumbing and heating for the NYC winter, then contact Kew Forest Plumbing today! We have the knowledge and expertise to perform high-quality Manhattan plumbing maintenance and repairs.
