The springtime could be a beautiful time of the year when the flowers come out and the weather begins to get warm. The birds begin to chirp happily as they bathe out in the last few puddles of winter rain. This peaceful time of the year could feel us rejuvenated as life begins to come back out after the winter but your home’s plumbing system could also use a little bit of maintenance to prepare for the seasons to come. That’s why your friends at Pann Home Services & Remodeling have decided to put together a list of 7 spring plumbing hints and tips to keep your home’s plumbing system running in tip-top shape all year long.
- Check Your Water Heater: There could be a chance that you raised the temperature in your water heater during the colder months this past winter. We primarily recommend setting your water heater’s heat to 120 degrees, going any higher than could result in scalding heat.
While checking your temperature use this opportunity to check your water heater for signs of corrosion and leaks. Check for rust, puddles, or soot around the control panel. If you see any signs of a failing unit you should contact a plumber right away to come to take a look at it and see if it could be repaired. Remember that water heaters are only built to last around 15 years so it may be time to have your unit replaced if it is older than that.
- Check For Leaks with Sprinklers & Outdoor Faucets: Your outdoor pipes that are attached to sprinklers and faucets could freeze and break during those cold winter months. After the climate warms up pipes will begin to thaw and your pipes could show signs of water leaks. If a water leak does end up revealing itself after you turn on your hose or faucets outside you will want to address those right away with the help of a professional plumber.
- Turn Water Valves: Water valves could become hard to turn over time. At least once a year you should take the time to turn off the water valves in your home, and then turn them back on just to keep your valves from getting stuck.
- Be Sure to Check Under Sinks & Supply Hoses: Check under your sinks and look at the supply hoses that run to your washer, dishwasher, and any other water using appliances. Some signs that may indicate that you could use the help of a professional plumber include puddles, moisture, rust or other signs of a water leak.
- Drain Your Water Heater: Your water heater could have some sediment build up sitting at the bottom of your water heater, which actually reduces the efficiency of your unit causing it to wast more energy keeping the water hot. By simply draining your water heater once a year you could help extend its lifespan.
The entire process should not take you more than an hour or two but the result of a smoother running unit highlight its benefits. If this process seems like something that is intimidating you may always reach out to us and one of our trusted plumbers could help you drain it today.
- Check For Toilet Leaks: You should test your toilet for potential leaks by adding food coloring to the inside of your toilet tank. If the water in your toilet bowl begins to turn the color of the food dye within half an hour you have a toilet leak. Taking the time to replace parts in the toilet tank will save you water and money this year.
- Clean Down Spouts & Gutters: You should make sure to clear out your gutter and downspouts after a long fall and winter. They could become clogged up with pine needles, leaves, twigs and other debris. This should help prevent leaks in your home and potential water damage during those upcoming spring showers.
Contact Us Today
Do not hesitate to reach out to our team of skilled plumbers when if you need help completing any of these steps. We are trained and ready to complete any task you need to be done. If you want to improve your spring plumbing this season, you can always call on our highly-rated company to get the job done. What are you waiting for? Contact us today.