Fall Plumbing Checklist: 8 Things Wisconsin Homeowners Should Check Before Winter

When September arrives in Central Wisconsin, winter might still feel a long way off. But when it comes to your home’s plumbing, the weeks before freezing temperatures arrive are some of the most important of the year.

Cold weather can expose plumbing problems that weren’t obvious during the summer. A small leak, aging water heater, struggling sump pump or vulnerable pipe can quickly become a much bigger headache once winter arrives.

At Best-1 Plumbing & Heating, we work with homeowners throughout Weston, Wausau and surrounding Central Wisconsin communities to keep plumbing and water systems working reliably throughout the year.

Before the temperatures start dropping, put these eight items on your fall plumbing checklist.

1. Look for Leaks

Start with the basics.

Walk through your home and check faucets, toilets, sinks and visible pipes for signs of leaks. Look underneath sinks and around plumbing fixtures for moisture, staining or other signs that water may be escaping somewhere it shouldn’t.

Even a small leak deserves attention.

In addition to wasting water, leaks can damage cabinets, flooring, drywall and other areas of your home.

If you find a leak you can’t easily identify or repair, call a professional plumber before it turns into a larger problem.

2. Prepare Your Pipes for Freezing Temperatures

Frozen pipes are a serious concern during Wisconsin winters.

Pipes located in colder areas of the home can be especially vulnerable, including plumbing near exterior walls and in basements, crawl spaces or other areas with limited insulation.

September and early fall give you time to identify vulnerable plumbing before freezing temperatures arrive.

If you’ve experienced frozen pipes in the past or aren’t sure whether your home’s plumbing is adequately protected, have a plumber evaluate the situation.

A little prevention can go a long way toward avoiding a burst pipe and the water damage that can follow.

3. Pay Attention to Your Water Heater

Few things make you appreciate your water heater faster than a cold Wisconsin morning.

Fall is a great time to pay attention to how yours is performing.

Warning signs that your water heater may need professional attention can include:

• Inconsistent hot water
• No hot water
• Water around the tank
• Unusual noises
• Rusty or discolored water
• Unusual odors
• A system that no longer seems to meet your household’s hot-water needs

Water heaters can develop more problems as they age, and corrosion, pilot-light problems and deteriorating components can all affect performance.

If your water heater is showing signs of trouble, having it inspected now may help you avoid waking up without hot water in the middle of winter.

4. Check Your Sump Pump

Spring gets most of the attention when it comes to sump pumps, but fall is another important time to make sure yours is working.

Heavy rain, melting snow and changing groundwater conditions can all put your basement at risk if your sump pump isn’t functioning properly.

Check the sump pump area for anything unusual and make sure the system can operate when needed.

If your sump pump is older, unreliable or has struggled to keep up in the past, consider having it professionally inspected.

The best time to discover a sump pump problem is before you actually need it.

5. Don’t Forget About Your Well Water System

Many homes outside more densely populated areas of Central Wisconsin rely on private wells.

If your home has a well system, changes in water pressure, taste, color or overall performance shouldn’t be ignored.

Well systems have multiple components that need to work together to provide dependable water to your home. If something seems different, a professional inspection can help determine what’s causing the problem.

Best-1 Plumbing & Heating provides well inspection and plumbing services for homeowners throughout the Weston area and surrounding communities.

6. Pay Attention to Septic System Warning Signs

If your property relies on a septic system, fall is not the time to ignore warning signs.

Slow drains, unpleasant odors, backups or unusual conditions around the septic area can indicate that something needs attention.

Winter can make septic problems significantly more inconvenient, so addressing concerns before the ground freezes is a smart move.

If something doesn’t seem right, have the system evaluated rather than hoping it makes it through another winter.

7. Check Your Water Softener

Hard water is a common household concern, and a properly functioning water softener can make a noticeable difference throughout your home.

Watch for signs that your system isn’t performing as expected, including mineral buildup, changes in water pressure or changes in the taste or feel of your water.

Hard-water mineral deposits can also affect plumbing fixtures and water-using appliances over time.

If you’re unsure whether you have hard water, Best-1 Plumbing & Heating can test your water and discuss water-softening options for your home.

Already have a softener? Fall is a good time to make sure it’s working properly before another winter.

8. Know Who to Call for a Plumbing Emergency

Not every plumbing problem gives you advance warning.

A pipe can burst. A toilet can overflow. A water heater can leak. A drain can back up.

When water is going somewhere it shouldn’t, knowing who to call can save valuable time.

Best-1 Plumbing & Heating provides emergency plumbing service along with everyday residential and commercial plumbing repairs.

Keep our number somewhere easy to find before an emergency happens: 715-241-0883.

Fall Is the Time for Preventative Plumbing Maintenance

Your plumbing works quietly behind the scenes every day, which makes it easy to forget about it until something goes wrong.

September gives Wisconsin homeowners a valuable window between the heavy use of summer and the freezing temperatures of winter.

Take advantage of it.

Fix the dripping faucet. Check the sump pump. Pay attention to the water heater. Have that strange water-pressure issue investigated. And if something hasn’t seemed quite right with your plumbing, well or septic system, don’t wait for winter to make the problem worse.

Your Local Central Wisconsin Plumbing Team

Best-1 Plumbing & Heating is based in Weston and provides professional plumbing and HVAC services throughout the greater Marathon County area and beyond.

We serve homeowners and businesses in Weston and surrounding communities including Wausau, Kronenwetter, Ringle, Rothschild, Maine/Brokaw, Marathon, Hatley, Schofield, Merrill and Mosinee.

From everyday plumbing repairs and water heaters to well water systems, septic services, sump pumps and water softeners, our team is ready to help keep your home running smoothly.

Contact Best-1 Plumbing & Heating today to schedule plumbing service before Wisconsin’s cold weather arrives.