The mornings have a certain crispness to them up in the mountains of late. You may be thinking about how to put your plumbing in order ahead of Western North Carolina’s first hard freeze, or perhaps you are looking to put an end to those repair bills that come at inopportune moments.
We can help with that. Family First Plumbing (what used to be NCPD Service) is here to keep homeowners in Asheville and vicinity from being caught off guard by the cold. We have been a family business since December 2020 and our staff has more than 20 years of plumbing experience between them. For some direction, call (828) 618-4759.
In this part of the state where the thermometer can change in a hurry, it is best to be prepared; a bit of time invested in the fall will spare you trouble down the road.
Outdoor Faucets and Hoses: A Word of Caution
It is easy to make the mistake of not putting away the garden hose for the winter. But if water is left to sit and freeze in one, it can force its way back into the faucet and break the pipe behind your wall. Come spring and the thaw you will find out there was a leak.
To forestall that, work through this before the freeze sets in:
- Put all hoses in a shed or bring them in
- Make sure they are disconnected and drained
- Any interior valve to an outdoor spigot should be closed
- Open the outside faucet so what is left can run out
- Put covers on any exposed spigots
- See if there are hose bibs with a drip or a leak
There is no cost to doing these things and it is only a matter of minutes. Not to do them, however, and you could be looking at the expense of water damage from a burst pipe.
Insulating Where It Is Cold
A cold snap will find the pipes in a crawl space, garage or unheated basement, as is the case in many a home in Arden, Candler, Black Mountain and the higher elevations. Foam insulation sleeves will go a long way to retain warmth on such exposed pipes, particularly in drafty spots or along an exterior wall. On the very cold of nights a slow trickle from the faucet is advisable; the motion of the water keeps it from freezing.
Water Heater Maintenance
With colder water coming in and requiring more energy to heat, your water heater has to put in extra effort over the winter and fall. Take stock of it.
You want to see if there is any discoloration or rust in the water, or if the tank is making popping noises. Check for pooling at the base, a pilot light that will not stay lit, or water that does not get hot enough.
Flushing the tank will counteract the sediment that has made the unit less efficient. Should the water heater be old, replacing it in the fall is prudent so as not to have it give out on a frozen morning. We will also assist in determining what federal tax credits or utility rebates you can put toward a qualifying unit we put in.
Drains
Once the holiday cooking is under way the kitchen is put to good use. Coffee grounds and grease will clog a drain in short order. Do yourself a favour and clear them out now instead of having to deal with it while the family is around. Use the disposal with cold water and do not put grease in the drain. If a drain is not draining well, fix it before you have guests over for dinner.
Well and Sump Pumps
Our service area has plenty of homes with well pumps and pressure tanks. Before the cold puts any strain on the system, check to see they are in working order. Sump pumps will have their work cut out for them with the fall rains and the winter melt; a test now is worth it to be sure it performs when called upon.
If You Need a Pro
You can do some of this maintenance on your own but a stubborn drain or a water heater on its last legs calls for a licensed and insured professional. We are at your service 24/7 (NC plumbing license #35369).
Call us at (828) 618-4759 to make your home ready for the winter. We offer free estimates and straightforward pricing to all of Western North Carolina and Asheville, and for those preferring to pay over time, financing is available via ServiceFinance. Get in touch and face the season with confidence.
