Spring is Best Time for a Plumbing Check-up

Spring is Best Time for a Plumbing Check-up

Spring has finally arrived and it’s time to make some quick observations around your home. Here are some very valuable plumbing tips for you to think about as the weather starts to warm.

Start by checking the kitchen, bathroom, appliances, and more common areas, both within and outside the home. By doing this, you can be prepared and help prevent any plumbing problems that occur. Including this in your spring cleaning project is a great way to get it done.

Check your drains, gutters, and downspouts – which should be clear and free of debris to ensure proper operation. Many regions of the country experience a large amount of rainfall this time of year and you want to make sure you’re ready. If you let the debris build-up, gutters and drains can clog, causing water damage, leakage, and mold growth and that is certainly not something you want to deal with!

You should also make sure your plumbing pipes and vents are clear of bird nests, leaves, sticks, and any other sort of debris.

Springtime is also a Good Time to Check Your Hose Bib

Check out the faucet for leaks – this is especially common in colder climates where hoses have been left on the hose bib for the winter. If the water supply pipe has frozen the once frozen pipe can be expanded and may have cracked. This pipe will leak and should be replaced as soon as possible by your local plumber before water damage can occur.

To Avoid Flooding Concerns, its Always a Good Idea to Make Sure Your Sump Pump is Functioning Properly.

The most important thing you can do to keep your plumbing system safe this spring is to make sure your sump pump is primed and ready for some hard work. If you are not sure about your Sump Pump, test it by pouring a few buckets of water into the sump pit. The pump should kick on in a few seconds, allow the flow of water, and then turn itself off automatically. If it does not do it, call your local plumber and have the sump pump tested and checked by a professional to avoid costly damage to your home and property.

Other Plumbing Repair Tips

Check the faucet in the kitchen and bathroom for leaks. Finding and stopping leaks will SAVE you money. Make sure you have your filters on each drain. This will prevent hair, soap, and other substances from clogging your drains.

Check your toilet for leaks. A fast and inexpensive way to do this is to put a few drops of food coloring in your toilet tank. If there is a leak, the food color will end up in the bowl within half an hour. While you’re at it, check out the bowl for any cracks or leaks.

Check your toilets to make sure they are flushing correctly. If you must hold or shake the handle, you need to replace the parts of the toilet which are responsible for flushing. They do not cost much and in fact will save you money on your water bill.

Check your water supply valve by turning on and off occasionally. This will prevent them from sticking.

Finally, clean your shower head with vinegar to remove mineral deposits that can clog. I know most people don’t know this little trick of the trade. Take a plastic Ziplock bag and fill it with white vinegar. Place the Ziplock bag on the shower head and wrap the bag with a few heavy rubber bands securing the bag to the showerhead. Leave for 24 hrs and the mineral deposits should breakdown leaving your shower clean as a whistle.

Completing this inspection now will prepare your home for spring and will help you discover sooner and not later any damages caused by the winter months.