Some Fall Plumbing and HVAC Advice for the Helena Homeowner
With another Montana winter in the offing, is your house up to it? You would do well to consider what a sub-zero temperature will do to your pipes, and whether your heating can be counted on for the long term.
We at Big Sky Plumbing & Heating have been putting Helena homes in order for cold weather since 1985. As a locally run, licensed and insured operation we are familiar with the toll a fall or winter here can put on your plumbing and HVAC. Should you need some assistance or have any questions in preparing your home, pick up the phone at (406) 443-0336.
People are apt to be taken by surprise this time of year. It is mild one week and the next there is frost on the window and the furnace will not engage. A measure of forethought now is the best way to stave off an emergency.
The Importance of Preparing for Winter in Helena
One does not find much gentleness in a Helena winter; the cold has a way of coming on quicker than most homeowners anticipate and the temperatures are volatile. Freezing water in a pipe will expand and in doing so can crack it and do considerable damage to your home.
These are problems that can be avoided. There are some easy things to do in the fall to see you through the coldest of months. Besides, it is cheaper and less of a hassle to put right a minor concern before it becomes a burst pipe or a non-existent furnace come January.
Plumbing: What to Do Before the Freeze
Make a point of running through a few checks around the place ahead of the first hard freeze:
- Take down your garden hoses and drain them, you do not want water left to freeze in the spigot
- If you can, shut the water off to outside faucets and let the lines drain
- Put some insulation on exposed piping in the garage, basement or crawl space
- Check under the sink and at the fixtures for any slow leaks before the cold makes them worse
- Be sure you can find the main shutoff valve should an emergency arise
- Have your drains cleaned if they have been running slow
We get our share of calls in Helena for frozen pipes. Get on top of these and you are well ahead of the game.
Water Heater Readiness
The water heater has to put in more work in the winter given how cold the supply is. An older model or one giving you trouble is worth having us examine in the fall.
Sediment will accumulate over the years and make the unit labor for no reason. Keep an eye out for odd noises, water that is not hot enough or a rusty tint. When the time comes to put in a new water heater, it is better to do so now than be without hot water in a cold spell.
Seasonal Checks on Your HVAC and Heating
A boiler or furnace going down on the worst night of the year is something nobody wants. Paying it some mind in the fall is worthwhile.
As you make the change from cooling to heating, bear in mind the following:
- Furnace filter should be new or at least clean for the system to be efficient
- Put your heating to the test early on to allow for any repairs
- Any peculiar smells or sounds when the heat is first applied warrant attention
- Vents and registers ought to be clear of rugs and furniture
- A boiler needs an inspection to ensure safe and proper running
It is much less of an ordeal to turn on the heat in October and find all is in order than to uncover a problem during a January freeze.
Leave it to the Pros
You can handle some of the maintenance yourself but boilers, water heaters and HVAC systems are best left to someone with experience.
Troy Hedden, a master plumber of over 20 years, owns Big Sky Plumbing & Heating. We have a BBB A rating and have been of service to the Helena community, both residential and commercial, for some 38 years. We also extend a 10 percent discount on certain services to our senior customers. The office is open 8 to 4 Monday to Friday.
There is no need to wait for a freeze to tell you there is a problem. Let us put your Helena home in shape for the season. Call (406) 443-0336.