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Here in the DC metro area, we are no strangers to the seasons; from snow to searing heat, we see it all. Since extreme changes in weather can affect your home, it’s important to remain vigilant with regular service and maintenance. With the temperature fluctuating day by day, we’d like to offer a few tips that will help you keep your home in prime shape through the changing weather. Virginia winters are a wild card, one month could see flooding rains and the next a drought and sometimes even snow. Whether it’s one, the other or both, you need to be prepared. You may not know it, but a drought or water shortage can wreak havoc on your home’s plumbing.
When a drought or freezing occurs, the ground expands due to a lack of moisture. This expansion causes contractions in the surface that can easily cause underground pipes to crack or burst. Once a pipe bursts, there are not only the repairs to the plumbing that must be dealt with, but also the cost of valuables that will almost certainly be lost. During a drought, moisture is practically ripped out of the soil and turns it to clay. This can cause underground plumbing to physically shift. When this occurs, normally all the affected plumbing must be replaced. Repairing underground plumbing lines is not only costly but also an enormous inconvenience for the homeowner.
The best way to defend against these plumbing disasters is keeping your property’s moisture level consistent. This can be achieved through a simple sprinkler system or regular watering of the grounds. However, if you live in an area where water use is strictly regulated or you believe in conserving natural resources, heavy watering might not be a good option for you. If that’s the case, an underground irrigation system that draws water from a natural source might be the only other option.
On the other side of the weather coin is heavy flood caused by rain. While droughts and water shortages do occur in our area, the flooding is something we experience almost every year. Just like in a drought, your underground plumbing can become damaged during a flood. Protecting your home against flooding involves a few basics requirements and steps. Here is a quick run down:
- Sump Pumps: This is your first and most important line of defense when facing potential flooding. A sump pump works by pumping excess water out of the “sump pit” and into the sewage system. There are two types of pumps, a pedestal pump and submersible pump. Which pump is right for your home depends on the size of the area where the pump is being placed. A trained Michael & Son Plumbing Technician can help you choose and install whichever pump is right for you.
- Roof Gutters: Clean and sturdy gutters are another important factor in preventing home flooding. Clogged gutters can cause your roof to leak and also increase the chance of basement flooding. If you need new gutters or just someone to clean them out, call Michael & Son’s Handyman Division.
- Check Your Downspouts: Make sure your downspouts are pointed away from your home and dump water at least 3-5 feet away. You can always check your downspouts by running a garden hose into your gutter and following the water path.
- Keep Sandbags on Hand: You never know when the rain will just be too much for your sump pump to handle, that’s when you need sandbags. Use the sandbags to block the entry points of any flood water, but make sure to leave a clear exit in case of an emergency.
- Stay Away From the Water: Flood water is filthy stuff. Avoid coming in contact with moving water which can not only make you sick, it can also sweep you away. Remember, it only takes six inches of rushing water to knock you off your feet and two feet to sweep away your car.
Making sure your home is prepared for the seasons is a lot of work but also an absolute necessity. The best tactic is to remain vigilante and not let a small issue become a costly disaster.
Don’t have time to be vigilante? Then call Michael & Son and ask about our Home Cares Agreements. Get comprehensive, whole home care from a friendly and professional Michael & Son technician by signing up today. Also, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and subscribe to our YouTube page and find out about special offers, upcoming events and much more!
