As the seasons change, your home’s plumbing and heating systems need a little extra TLC to keep them operational during the cold winter months. The winter months are notoriously tough on plumbing and heating systems, and even the most well-maintained systems will have occasional issues during this time of year. This doesn’t mean your system is worn out or broken; instead, it’s simply a normal part of owning and maintaining these types of systems. To keep your plumbing and heating systems in good working order during the cold winter months, there are a few things you can do to help them last longer and avoid issues later on in the year.

Change out your oil in the fall

If you haven’t had your oil changed in a few years, now is the time to do so. Oil is designed to be a thick, viscous substance that helps to prevent leaks and spills. As time goes by, the oil thins out and becomes less effective at preventing leaks and spills. This can also happen if you use the oil for multiple purposes, including heating and cooling, water heating, and even gardening. When you change your oil, you also have an opportunity to inspect your engine and make any necessary adjustments, such as replacing your oil filter. This will help to ensure that your engine is running at its best, and will also extend the life of your engine.

Check your pipes before temperatures drop

As the days get shorter and the weather grows colder, there are a few things you can do to help extend the life of your plumbing system. One of the most important things you can do is check your pipes to make sure they aren’t frozen and are ready to receive water when the temperature drops. Frozen pipes can cause extensive damage to your home and can be very costly to repair. To check for frozen pipes, use a hair dryer to warm a section of pipe, then check to see if the temperature drops. Once it does, you can thaw the pipe with hot water from a faucet.

Schedule regular inspections and tune-ups

While it might seem like an unnecessary expense, regular maintenance is essential to extending the life of your plumbing and heating systems. Not only will regular maintenance extend the life of your systems, but it will also help to avoid costly repairs down the road. If you have an issue with your system, it’s best to have it fixed as soon as possible to minimize any damage to your home. If you have an issue with your plumbing or heating system, it’s best to have a professional come out and check it to make sure it’s safe to use before it becomes an emergency.

Protect your home from frost damage

Although frost isn’t something you want to see on your plants, it can be a real problem for your home. If you have a frost-prone area, there are a few things you can do to protect it from damage. First, you can cover your plants with a frost-protection cover. There are many frost covers available, and they are inexpensive and easy to use. If frost-protection covers don’t appeal to you, there are other ways to protect your plants. You can purchase a frost alarm, which will alert you if frost is about to occur. Or, if you have a greenhouse, you can move your plants into it to protect them from frost.

Summary

During the winter months, your plumbing and heating systems will be under a lot of stress. It’s important to take steps to make sure these systems stay in good working order. To do this, you should change your oil in the fall, check your pipes to make sure they aren’t frozen, schedule regular maintenance, and protect your home from frost damage.