Many have heard the old saying, “April showers bring May flowers.” And while this adage reminds Birmingham residents that the countless spring storms will promote the growth of beautiful flowers, the seemingly continuous drizzle can quickly inconvenience you and your home’s systems.
In preparation for spring storms, the team at Guin Service discusses everything you need to know about storm-proofing your home. From scheduling regular maintenance, checking your sump pump, and more, we hope these tips keep the Alabama weather from raining on your parade. Keep reading to learn about preparing your HVAC & plumbing systems for April showers.
HVAC Weather-Proofing
If you want to avoid a midnight HVAC emergency or costly repairs, there are a few steps you can take to ready your HVAC unit before a hefty rainfall. We recommend preparing your yard, turning off your HVAC system, and scheduling regular maintenance before the storm clouds roll in.
Prepare Your Yard
While you can’t prevent falling limbs from damaging your HVAC unit, you can put away anything in your yard that would blow around during a storm. Yard tools, furniture, pots, and other items could easily damage your unit and should be put away when not in use. Additionally, you may want to consider installing a weatherproof cover for larger patio pieces such as your BBQ and couches. You can buy these in stores and online, or take a DIY approach with some tarp,wood, and rope. If you have questions about further protecting your HVAC unit, don’t hesitate to contact the professionals at Guin Service.
Turn Your System Off
During the chaos of a spring storm, you may forget to check on your air conditioner. We recommend flipping the breaker to disconnect your unit from the electrical panel so you can avoid an electrical surge, power loss, or worse—a damaged unit. While this may not be necessary during an afternoon sprinkle, we advise you to take immediate action if any sirens begin to sound.
Schedule Regular Maintenance
Preparation is key, especially when it comes to your HVAC unit. Before severe weather arrives, we recommend you schedule regular maintenance from a seasoned professional. An expert can examine your unit and catch any problems before the wind or rain exacerbates them. If you’re looking for an HVAC expert in the Birmingham area, contact Guin Service for a comprehensive inspection.
Plumbing Weather-Proofing
While we wish we could control Mother Nature’s relentless downpours and powerful winds, the plumbing advice from Guin Service is the next best defense. You can do a few things before a thunderstorm, tornado, or other severe weather events to reduce the likelihood of a plumbing disaster.
Check Your Gutters
Your gutters exist to keep rainfall away from your foundation, but if they become blocked you may experience leaks and even flooding during inclement weather. It can take as little as five minutes to reduce the likelihood of a plumbing problem by checking your gutters. We advise clearing your gutters of leaves, branches, trash, weeds, or other debris not just before a storm but at least every 3 months.
Test Your Sump Pump
Your sump pump is the hidden hero of your plumbing system. If you have a basement, you should have a sump pump installed to keep excess water out of the lowest point of your home. Your sump pump works automatically and should flush water out as soon as heavy rain begins. If you know your area is expecting severe storms, you can check your sump pump by pouring water into the drain and waiting until the float moves. Adding water should activate the pump, and the water should flush out. If not, contact the professionals at Guin Service immediately! Without your sump pump working properly, you may face costly water damage.
Locate Your Main Water Shut-Off Valve
In the event of a plumbing fiasco, you’ll want to know where your main water shut-off valve is located. If you have a burst pipe or another flooding problem, shutting off your water can help prevent any additional water from entering your home through the leak. More so, if the severe weather conditions cause Birmingham residents to evacuate, you’ll want to be able to quickly turn off the water to protect your home from plumbing damage while you’re away.
Guin Service Offers 24/7 Emergency Service
With these HVAC and plumbing tips and tricks, we hope your home stays protected and dry all season long. If you experience any HVAC or plumbing emergencies, Guin Service is here for you and your family—day or night. Offer 24/7 emergency service for all your HVAC and plumbing needs in Birmingham, AL, and the surrounding areas, we’re dedicated to keeping your home and family safe.
Your Trusted HVAC & Plumbing Experts: Guin Service
Proudly serving Mountain Brook, Vestavia Hills, Homewood, and Hoover, the team at Guin Service is your trusted plumbing, air conditioning, heating, and generator experts. In times of home system crisis, we can help you and your family—no matter the hour. Call us at (205) 595-4846 or contact us online to schedule regular maintenance for your HVAC unit today!
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