The Bloomington-Normal Homeowners’ Guide to Spring Plumbing Maintenance

The spring season symbolizes new life and beginnings. It is ironic that it could also mean the beginning of the end of your plumbing system.

Often, plumbing systems sustain damage during the cold months that cause them to crack and leak. If you only discover this when the ice thaws, the damage may already be extensive.

That is why a thorough spring plumbing maintenance is vital as soon as the cold begins to fade. Follow these plumbing inspection and maintenance steps so you can protect your Bloomington-Normal home.

At Summers Plumbing Heating & Cooling, we know how important plumbing maintenance is. That is why we offer you discounts on specific plumbing inspections! Inspect your water heater for only $59 and get a free service call with any paid repair. Limited-time offer only!

1.      Clean All Gutters and Downspouts

You can start outside your home when you do a DIY plumbing inspection. Check your gutters and downspouts for wet leaves, sticks, and debris. These can form obstructions that block the water flow.

Water must flow through your gutters and downspouts to prevent water damage and direct excess water away from your home.

You can run clean water through the gutters and downspouts until all the debris is cleared. If you notice damage to these spouts or gutters, contact a professional plumber for assistance.

You should also inspect your sprinkler for damage before you turn it on in the spring. Check whether your outdoor faucets and hose bibs have cracks or leaks. This usually happens when these fixtures freeze in the winter.

If you find damage, it is best to leave the repairs or replacements in the hands of a reputable plumber.

2.      Drain Your Water Heater

Your water heater is an important appliance in your Bloomington-Normal home. This means you should include it in your spring plumbing maintenance efforts. Your water heater will collect sediment in the tank because you use it constantly.

You must flush the sediment out and then refill the heater to allow the appliance to work properly. If you are unsure how to do this, a professional plumber can help.

3.      Inspect Your Home for Leaks

When you start inspecting the inside of your home, you can test the floors first. If the flooring is lifting or warping, moisture accumulates below. Look for brown spots on the ceilings below bathrooms, and check for mold and mildew growing in the darker areas of your home. These include enclosed spaces like closets and cabinets.

While you check for leaks, you should also test the water pressure throughout the house. A good way to check a dip in pressure is to run more than one faucet at a time. If one or more faucets only provide a trickle of water, it could indicate a leak within the plumbing pipes.

These are not issues you should try to fix on your own. Instead, call your plumber for a proper repair or replacement.

4.      Clean the Sump Pump

Sometimes, the spring rains happen unexpectedly early. You want your sump pump to be prepared for this. It is easy to do basic maintenance on a sump pump. Simply clear the debris from the inside and check for obstructions in the drainpipe.

You should also check that the electrical connections are damage-free and do not come into contact with the water.

If you want to test if the pump is functioning normally, pour water into the pit and confirm that the pump activates accordingly. You may also want to consider installing a backup battery system in case of power outages.

5.      Look for Leaks in and Around Your Toilet

Toilets also need maintenance to ensure they continue working properly. Check for leaks or cracks inside or outside the toilet as part of your spring plumbing maintenance checklist.

If everything looks fine, you can still double-check whether there are any issues by adding food dye to the tank water. Leave the dye for about 30 minutes, and then check whether the dye appears in the bowl. If it does, you likely have a leak that needs fixing.

Signs Your Bloomington-Normal Home Needs a Professional Plumbing Inspection

While you are checking for plumbing issues, you may find unexpected problems. For example, you may notice the water draining slowly while testing your bathroom plumbing. This could be the first sign of a serious blockage. You should call a plumber to examine the pipes and fix the problem.

If you smell something foul coming from your drains, it may be a sewage problem or a blockage caused by debris. If it smells like sewage, you need a plumber to inspect the sewer line and fix the issue. If the odor is musty, it may indicate mold growth stemming from leaks.

It is also important to get a professional plumbing inspection if your water bills keep rising but you are not using more water. Lastly, if your pipes make hammering or gurgling noises, it could be a sign of a serious problem. Don’t wait for it to worsen; instead, call a plumber immediately.

Why a Spring Maintenance Checklist Works

If you check each of these steps off your list, you can:

• Identify serious leaks before they cause further damage
• Prevent expensive plumbing emergencies
• Extend the lifespan of your plumbing system
• Improve water efficiency in your home and lower your energy bills
• Prepare your home well for more water usage as summer approaches

It is important to know your house and your plumbing system well. If you do, you will spot issues easily while you do your DIY checks.

Turn to the Plumbing Experts at Summers Plumbing Heating & Cooling

Whether you find minor or major issues with your plumbing system, Summers Plumbing Heating & Cooling can help. We provide expert inspections, maintenance, and repairs to ensure your home’s plumbing stays in great shape.

Call us today at 309-319-9009 or book a service online. Be sure to check out local specials for our Bloomington-Normal customers.