Key Spring Plumbing Maintenance Steps for Your Home

When spring rolls around, it is time for spring cleaning. This means throwing out everything you don’t need just in time for summer and checking that your plumbing system is in good shape.

The cold months put a lot of stress on your plumbing. Without you realizing it, the freezing weather can cause cracks and subsequent leaks that may only be visible in the spring.

When you do your home inspection this spring, check for plumbing issues. If you find something that looks or sounds off, call a professional plumber for help.

Include the following steps in your plumbing maintenance checklist to be sure you don’t miss anything.

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1.      Check Your Water Heater for Damage

The older your water heater, the higher the risk of corrosion. The chemicals in the water in the tank and the metal tend to react. This can lead to exterior and interior corrosion and rust.

The water can flood your house if the rust eats through the tank. That is why checking the entire tank for damage is important. If you notice anything strange, hire a plumber to do a professional inspection.

Corrosion issues should be fixed as soon as possible, as they can cause major damage.

2.      Test Your Sump Pump

When the spring rains arrive, the sump pump ensures your crawlspace and basement stay dry. If you do not test or maintain your sump pump, it can fail at the worst possible time. It is worth taking the extra step to test your pump occasionally to prevent water damage to your home.

All you need to do is check whether the pump is clean and dry. You should also look for any stains on the outside or visible rust.

If everything looks fine, pour water into the sump pit to see if it automatically activates. The water should allow the float switch to rise, which will then switch on the pump. When the pump is on, it should drain away the water.

You could try resetting the breaker if the pump does not turn on. If that does not work, call a professional plumber for assistance.

3.      Examine the Valves in Your Home

It is easy to overlook your plumbing system’s valves, but you shouldn’t. The last thing you want is to have a plumbing problem and be unable to shut off the water because a valve has failed.

Test your valves during the spring to ensure they still move freely (open and close). If you notice limescale, have the valves cleaned.

While you are checking your valves, also look for water leaks. Leaks sometimes occur in hard-to-see places, so you must know where to look.

For example, leaks often happen between a toilet bowl and the tank. Checking for a leak is easy. Simply add dye to the tank. If there is a leak, the dye will appear in the bowl.

Leaks can also develop in washing machine hoses. You want to check for damage around the spigot and the line itself.

If you hire a plumber to inspect your home for you, they may also find leaks in other unexpected places, like your dishwasher. For this reason, it is always a good idea to get a professional inspection done.

4.      Clear Your Gutters and Check Your Irrigation System

Your plumbing maintenance checklist should also cover your outdoor fixtures and gutters. If your gutters are dirty and filled with wet leaves and twigs, they cannot move heavy streams of water away from your roof.

If you don’t clear the gutters, it could cause a clog or blockage, damaging your roof. You may notice mold in your attic or excess water in your basement.

You must clean your gutters properly and pour water into them to check for blockages. If you cannot find a blockage, but the water does not move, you should get professional help.

While you are outside, you should also check your irrigation system. If any lines or sprinkler heads leak, they should be repaired or replaced. Do not ignore these leaks, which can cause indoor flooding and damage.

5.      Don’t Forget About Your Garbage Disposal

When the weather starts heating up, you will start thinking about what to cook for the warmer temperatures. This also means your garbage disposal will likely work overtime.

Your garbage disposal should be part of your plumbing maintenance. If you have to keep throwing foods like vegetables, fruits, and bread into it, it will retain water and might cause a blockage.

You can maintain your garbage disposal by using cold water before and after you use it to keep it from blocking. If it is already blocked, you should call a plumber for help.

When to Call a Plumber for Help

Some maintenance tasks are easy, but others are not. You should call a licensed plumber if your water bill keeps going up without you using any extra water. You should also get a plumber to help if your sump pump no longer works properly or if you find multiple large leaks throughout your house.

With Summers PHC Spring Plumbing Maintenance Is a Breeze

Spring plumbing maintenance does not have to be overwhelming. At Summers Plumbing Heating and Cooling, we offer professional and expert plumbing inspections, maintenance, and repairs to ensure your plumbing system works as it should.

Don’t let a minor leak or other issue become a huge repair that costs a lot of money. Call Summers PHC today at 317-565-4419 to schedule a spring plumbing checkup or book your required service online. Be sure to check out our local specials created especially for our customers.