The Hidden Dangers of Letting Your Outdoor Plumbing Go Unchecked This Fall

Fall around Grand Lake is hard to beat — cool mornings, warm afternoons, and finally abreak from the summer heat. But before you settle in for the season, there’s one thingmost homeowners forget to check: outdoor plumbing. Those garden faucets andsprinkler lines can turn into a real headache once the Oklahoma temperature dips belowfreezing. Here’s what to look out for, and how to avoid a burst pipe surprise this winter.

1. Outdoor Faucets Freeze Fast

Oklahoma weather is unpredictable; one day it’s 75°, the next we’re waking up to ice onthe windshield. When that happens, outdoor faucets are the first to freeze. If there’seven a little bit of water left inside, it can freeze, expand, and crack the pipe behind yourwall. That’s when the “uh-oh” moments start.

Quick fix:

● Unhook and drain your hoses.

● Turn off the water to your outdoor spigots if you can.

● Slip on an insulated faucet cover (you can grab one for a few bucks at thehardware store).

That $3 cover could save you a $300 repair later.

2. Sprinklers and Yard Hydrants Don’t Like the Cold Either

If you’ve got a sprinkler system or yard hydrant, don’t forget about them. When water sits in those lines and freezes, it can crack the pipes underground. You might not noticeuntil next spring. Here are some things you can do before the cold weather hits.

● Shut off and drain the sprinkler system.

● Blow out any leftover water if you can.

● Drain and cover outdoor hydrants.

It’s quick, and it’ll keep you from paying for repairs come springtime.

3. Outdoor Leaks Can Wreck the Inside of Your Home

Even if the problem starts outside, it doesn’t always stay there. A burst pipe in an exterior wall can allow water to enter your home, soaking insulation, drywall, and flooring.Here in Oklahoma, we can go from mild to freezing overnight, so getting ahead of it nowreally matters.

4. Let Gieser Plumbing Give It a Once-Over

If you’re not sure what to look for, don’t sweat it; we do this every fall. We’ll check youroutdoor faucets, yard lines, crawl spaces, and make sure your Grand Lake plumbingsystem is ready for winter. Sometimes, it’s the small things, like an uninsulated pipe or aweak connection, that can cause some significant issues later.

Don’t Wait for the First Freeze

Once that first freeze hits, it’s a scramble, and repairs get expensive fast. Please take afew minutes now to check your plumbing, or give us a call. We’ll make sure everything’swinter-ready so you can relax and enjoy the season.

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