1. Ensure your hot water system is serviced and in good condition

Hot water systems require regular maintenance to ensure they remain in good working order, and while the weather is still warm now, it won’t be long until the Toowoomba winter arrives in full force, and the thought of having no hot water will bring a chill to your core. 

To make sure that you don’t need to deal with no hot water this winter, now is the time to have your hot water system serviced by a licensed plumber. An annual service is recommended to ensure that all of your valves are functioning as they should be, and to check that the sacrificial anode (a rod that is designed to rust within your hot water system, to prevent the tank itself from rusting) is not requiring replacement. This simple service will prolong the life of your hot water system, saving you money over the long term, and ensure you aren’t left with the inconvenience of not having hot water when you need it!

2. If you have noticed your drains are clearing slowly, now is the time to have them inspected and cleared or repaired

Oftentimes, throughout summer, we will notice that the drain in the shower is a little slower to clear than usual, you don’t think too much of it, however, slow drains are often the first indicator that a problem is building within your sewerage pipes. The colder temperatures of winter often mean that any blockages become more pronounced, and that a slow drain becomes a blocked drain. Before your issue becomes serious, it is a great idea to clean your shower drains yourself, to make sure that it is not just hair and gunk that is causing the drain to drain slowly, and if that doesn’t resolve your problem, call in your plumber to arrange a inspection 

3. Clean your gutters

Throughout autumn and the start of winter you will likely need to clean your gutters several times, particularly if you have deciduous trees in the area, and lots of leaves falling. While winter is often not renowned for its high rainfall, we do regularly get autumn and winter showers and rain. So ensuring that your gutters are clear will prevent you from experiencing any unfortunate overflowing which may cause significant damage to your ceilings and walls. 

4. Clean the stormwater drains around your homes

Much like your gutters, the stormwater drains around your home are generally situated in low points and prone to becoming covered or blocked by leaves in autumn, ensure that you are regularly raking fallen leaves and disposing of them, to prevent localised flooding in the event of heavy or prolonged rain. 

5. Check your flexihoses

Flexihoses are the flexible hoses that you will generally find behind your toilet and under your sinks.  Flexihoses are prone to rusting and subsequent bursting and Murphy's law means that this will generally happen when you are not home. To prevent excess flooding and damage it is a great idea to check your flexihoses regularly - and autumn is as good a time as any. If you note any signs of wear or rust - you should give your plumber a call to arrange to come and replace them!

If you need assistance in preparing your home's plumbing for the cold months ahead, please give us a call on 0439 648 390.