New Year Home Maintenance Checklist for Plumbing and HVAC

Here in Niles, the new year brings with it the cold temperatures of the winter season. Those freezing temperatures make it difficult to stay warm, and they can affect the efficiency of your plumbing system. That’s why it’s so important to create a home maintenance checklist at this time of year. Use the following proactive steps for a smooth start to the new year.

Your Plumbing Checklist

You count on your plumbing for hot showers, preparing and serving food, and many other household tasks. The last thing you want is for a sink to back up or a pipe to burst as you head into the new year. The following maintenance tips will ensure that your plumbing system is there for you when you need it.

1. Check for Leaks

Leaks are one of the top reasons that homeowners have to call a professional for plumbing repairs. Checking for warning signs is a great way to avoid this problem. Look to see if there’s any water dripping from your faucets, showerheads, or pipes under your sink. You don’t want any type of leak to freeze. This can lead to extensive damage to your pipes.

Don’t ignore low water pressure either. This can indicate a leak further within your plumbing. We can inspect your entire plumbing system and make any necessary repairs before any more damage occurs.

2. Schedule a Pipe Inspection

You should schedule a professional pipe inspection at least once each year. There are a lot of areas in your home’s plumbing system that you can’t see. Ignoring these areas can result in costly repairs or breakdowns.

3. Unclog Your Sinks

Clogs often come as a big surprise. Fortunately, there are things you can do to avoid them. Start by watching what you put down your drain. Oils, food scraps, and other debris aren’t meant to go down the sink’s drain. They can build in your pipes until they completely block the water flow. Avoid using chemical drain cleaners to remove this buildup. Those chemicals are harsh and can cause further damage to the pipes. Instead, turn to our experts for safe and effective drain cleaning.

4. Disconnect the Garden Hose

Disconnect all of your outdoor water sources and put them in storage before the freezing temperatures arrive. Turn off all valves on your outdoor faucets. This prevents water from freezing in your pipes and causing them to burst.

5. Schedule Water Heater Maintenance

It’s easy to forget to schedule annual water heater maintenance. Adding this task to your home’s fall maintenance plan will help you remember. Failing to properly maintain your water heater can result in breakdowns and costly repairs. During our water heater maintenance visit, we’ll flush the tank to remove sediment that builds up and reduces the water heater’s energy efficiency. We’ll also check the anode rod, which protects the tank’s lining. In addition, our team will check valves, intake vents, and the venting system.

6. Stay Warm

Keeping your home warm is one of the best ways to protect your plumbing system. You need to keep your home above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. This is not usually a problem when you are home, but if you go away on a vacation, resist the urge to turn that temperature down too low. A warm house keeps your pipes from freezing and cracking.

Your HVAC System Checklist

You want to start the new year with a warm and cozy home. To do so requires an HVAC system that is working as effectively as possible. Ensure your comfort by following our HVAC maintenance checklist.

1. Adjust and Calibrate Your Thermostat

Check your thermostat setting as the new year approaches. Setting it at a consistent and comfortable temperature keeps your home warm and cozy. It’s also a great way to save money on your energy bills. If your thermostat has batteries, this is the perfect time to replace them as well.

2. Clean the Filters

You should be cleaning your air filters not only at the start of the new year but also every three months. This is the average amount of time you can wait, but how often you should do this job depends on the number of people and pets in your home. Cleaning the filters is a great way to improve your home’s indoor air quality and keep your HVAC system functioning efficiently.

3. Clean the Outdoor Unit

During the fall season, leaves, dirt, and debris will collect on your HVAC’s outdoor unit. This can clog the coils and reduce your system’s efficiency. Clean away all of this debris. Also, trim any bushes, tree limbs, or other greenery so that it’s at least 2 feet from the unit.

4. Inspect Your Weather Stripping

Your weather stripping isn’t a part of your HVAC system, but it can greatly affect the comfort of your home. If yours is old or if you don’t have any around your doors and windows, your heat will escape, causing your HVAC system to work harder than it should. You’ll feel drafts throughout your home, and the money you spend on your energy bill will go out the window. Plus, that extra effort on your HVAC system’s behalf will cause unnecessary wear and tear, which reduces its lifespan.

5. Check the Air Vents

The holidays usually mean a house full of guests. As your friends and family gather together, there can be plenty of chaos. As a result, furniture, toys, and other household items can accidentally end up covering the air vents. After your guests leave, take a few minutes to do a quick check to make sure that those vents are open and that nothing is blocking them. If there’s anything blocking the vents, pressure can build up inside the ductwork, which puts stress on the HVAC blower fan. It also keeps the warm air from entering the room.

6. Schedule Annual HVAC Maintenance

Our HVAC maintenance plan allows us to catch small issues before they lead to bigger problems. Repairing those smaller issues can be much cheaper than dealing with a serious complication later. It also helps you avoid dealing with a system failure during the coldest days of the year.

At A To Z Dependable Services, we offer expert plumbing and HVAC services, including comprehensive maintenance plans, repairs, and installation. With over 60 years of experience, our professional plumbers are waiting to help you with all of your water heater, bath and shower, sewer, and sump pump needs. When a problem with your plumbing arises, you can count on us for expert drain cleaning, high-pressure jetting, and trenchless sewer repair. Our team even cares about your indoor air quality. We offer testing and solutions to help you breathe better, feel better, and get a good night’s sleep. As a result of our exceptional service, we are an A+ BBB business. Call A To Z Dependable Services in Niles, OH today for more information.