Fall and winter weather can take a toll on your plumbing system, from leaves that clog your gutters, to freezing temperatures putting stress on your pipes. Now that spring is in the air, it’s a good time to do some plumbing maintenance to ensure that your home stays dry throughout the warmer seasons.
Here are some spring plumbing tips that can help you avoid water issues.
Test Your Sump Pump
Sump pumps work hard to keep water out of your home, so you’ll want to ensure that yours is working properly before the rains of spring and summer come in. You can test it by pouring water into the sump pit to make sure the sump pump kicks on when the water reaches a certain level. If you fill the pit almost to the top and the sump pump doesn’t kick on, it will need to be repaired or replaced.
Clean Your Gutters
Cleaning debris from your gutters and downspouts keeps water draining properly so that it doesn’t fall near your foundation, which can lead to water in your basement or crawl spaces.
Check Your Outdoor Faucets and Downspouts
You should check your outdoor faucets by turning on the water and holding your hand over the faucet opening. If your hand is able to stop the water, you don’t have enough pressure which is likely caused by a leak. You should also visually check your downspouts to make sure they are connected to the drainpipes in the ground.
Check Your Water Heater for Leaks and Get a Water Heater Flush
Hot water is essential to daily living, so your water heater is an important fixture in your home. Check for water in the pan under your water heater regularly. If any water is there, your water heater is leaking and likely needs to be repaired or replaced.
A regular water heater flush can extend its life. A water heater flush removes built up sediment that can cause damage to the unit and impact efficiency. You can do a flush yourself, but it’s a bit of a complicated process and can result in burns, so to make sure it’s done properly, it’s often better to trust a professional.
Check the Water Heater Pressure Relief Valve
To ensure that your water heater functions well during the spring and summer, check your pressure relief valve. It works to prevent excess pressure and temperatures that can lead your water heater to break or even explode. To check it, lift up the lever and let it snap back. A burst of water should go into the drainpipe. If it doesn’t, you need a new valve. Be careful not to burn yourself during this process.
Seal Gaps Between Exterior Pipes and Walls
Gaps can develop between the walls and pipes where the pipes enter your home, which can allow warm air to come into your home and make your A/C work harder. Take a quick walk around the inside and outside of your house to find gaps, and close them with weather stripping, caulk, and insulation.
Check for Pipe Leaks
Check all your pipes for leaks or signs of corrosion. Fixing these issues can not only protect your pipes and your home but also prevent excessive water bills. Besides visible signs of leaks, other signs to look for include:
- High water bills
- Mold or mildew, or a musty odor
- Low water pressure
- A sudden crack in your foundation
- Odd sounds coming from your pipes
- Warping of a floor
- Cracked drywall
- Yellow stains on your ceilings or walls
- Bubbling paint
- Wet patches in your yard
Test Your Water Valves
Water valves allow you to turn water off in case of leaks, but when they are rarely used, they can become stuck. Check all your water valves, including the main shut off valve, to make sure they work properly. This is important so that if you have a leak, you can stop the water quickly before it does damage.
Clean Your Drains
You should clean your drains regularly to keep them clear, and to prevent odors. You can do so by pouring a half cup of baking soda in them, then pouring in a cup of vinegar. Let it sit for a few minutes, then run hot water for a few minutes.
Have a Plumbing Inspection
A professional plumber can provide an annual inspection of your plumbing system to detect leaks and fix their causes. They can use equipment to diagnose issues that you can’t see and identify potential problems. This will ensure that your entire plumbing system is functioning properly.
Have a Sewer Line Inspection
A home’s main sewer line is not something that homeowners think about until an issue occurs, and by then you’re left with a mess. Sewer line clogs can cause backups in toilets, showers, and other drains, which can lead to damage and an unsanitary situation. You should have a regular inspection and cleaning of your sewer line to find and remedy issues before they have a chance to do damage.
TR Miller Is Your Spring Plumbing Maintenance Partner
TR Miller has been providing plumbing services to suburban Chicago residents since 2008, and as a family-owned and operated company, we care about our customers and their families.
No matter what you need, we’ll give you our full attention. From plumbing repairs and installation to inspection and maintenance, we are here to assist.
When you need a plumber you can trust in the Chicago area, give TR Miller a call and experience for yourself why we’re a leader in plumbing services in the region.
Author
