Plumbing tips from A1 Choice Plumbers in Kelowna & West Kelowna

Though a seasonal home, as the name itself suggests, is usually only inhabited for a season, it still requires year-round maintenance. In the fall you need to prepare for the freeze of winter, in the spring you need to mop up the thaw, and during the summer you need to keep things cool. It is important to follow routine maintenance procedures by taking the proper precautions, checking your home carefully for any problems that may arise, and correcting those problems as soon as possible to avoid costly damages. Here’s a maintenance checklist, starting with the current season – Spring.

SPRING

Spring sees the onset of warmer weather and is the ideal time to assess winter damage and conduct a big clean-up. After a cold winter, it’s all about action: making repairs and pre-empting potential problems. Things that can be done around the home include replacing old fixtures and fixing leaky taps. Drain or flush your water heater, clean your pipes, both indoors and outside, and check your sprinkler heads. Remove any debris from the gutters and inspect the guttering and down pipes for cracks and rust. Inspect roof, siding, trim, foundation, and chimney for damage, and replace any damaged weather stripping around windows and doors.

SUMMER

With the kids home from school and the sun beating down, it’s vital to have a fully-functioning water system and air-conditioning unit to beat the summer sizzle. Take this opportunity and schedule a plumbing maintenance check for all your pipes and systems. Check to make sure your air-conditioning system is working properly, and give it a clean to ensure the cool air is of the highest quality. Afterwards, head outside and see if there are any walkways or steps that need repairing, or surfaces that could use a fresh coat of paint. It’s also time for yard work, so get trimming and pruning.

FALL

The leaves changing colour in the fall are beautiful, but they kind of lose their appeal when they fall off and clog your drains and litter your yard. Fallen leaves can stymie water flow and misdirect rainwater, funneling water into places it shouldn’t go – like foundations, roof or wall cavities. So makes sure to remove all debris from gutters and downspouts. Drain and store garden hoses, turn off your sprinkler system, and wrap insulation around outdoor faucets and pipes in the garage. Now would also be a good time to have your furnace serviced in time for the cold season.

WINTER

It’s winter, which means the air-conditioning is off and covered, and the heating is on. It’s time for hot showers in the morning and evenings in front of the fireplace. Have a plumber pay a visit and check your hot water system, and have them look at the heating, furnace, stove, and fireplace while they’re at it. Clean the fireplace and inspect the chimney. Seal up any cracks in doors and windows with weather-stripping, and utilise heavy curtains to keep the heat in. Check the basement for any leaks or drafts. Keep snow clear of heating and exhaust vents and basement windows. And ensure to check all electrical appliances and light fixtures, and make replacements where necessary.

Keeping up on your home maintenance throughout the year ensures you find issues before they become problems and solve problems before they cause major damage to your home and a drain on your wallet.

For all seasons, for any plumbing problem, A1 Choice Plumbing and Drain is available 24/7 with no overtime charges. But don’t just wait for an emergency; being proactive will save you time and money, and ensure peace of mind. Book your next maintenance inspection today and contact an experienced plumber in Kelowna or West Kelowna.