It is possible to wonder what plumbing tips are best for spring now that the seasons have changed. Spring brings both sunny and rainy days. Although you may not know it, heavy rainfall that spring brings can cause problems for your plumbing.
The heavy rains that bring May flowers may drag down your gutters, causing clogs in the drains. Your pipes may also be damaged by winter weather. To avoid spending more money on damaged equipment, it is a good idea to inspect all of your plumbing systems.
These plumbing tips will help keep you on top of your spring plumbing and allow you to have lots of fun in summer.
Top 5 Tips for Spring Plumbing
Check for leaks in appliances
Check for any leaks in your appliances when spring arrives. You might not have known that pipes can freeze and thaw repeatedly during winter. This could lead to cracks or leaks. Unintentional increases in your plumbing costs can be caused by a leaky pipe. It is worth checking to see if you could save money.
Check your bathroom, kitchen, and anywhere you keep your washer and dryer for leaks when checking for them. You can test your toilet tank by adding dye to your water. If the dye is not absorbed into the water within 30 minutes, it could be an indication that your tank is leaking.
Make sure to check outdoor appliances for leaks. You may find leaks inside your home when you are using the sprinkler or hose. If this happens, it’s possible that your pipes are frozen and have broken during winter. Call a plumbing company.
Verify Your Water Heater
It is great to take warm baths and showers in winter. However, you need to lower the temperature of the water heater when the weather changes. Your water heater shouldn’t heat more than 120°F. A higher temperature than this can cause your water heater to heat up and burn your skin.
Your heater should be kept at this temperature to reduce energy consumption. Additionally, it is important to drain several gallons out of your water heater.
You can get rid any sediment buildup which could lead to corrosion. Your heater’s heating efficiency is reduced and your heater’s life expectancy will decrease if you allow sediment to build up.
Clean gutters and downspouts
Gutters can have a major impact on your outdoor plumbing system. It is important to clean your gutters every spring. Make sure to clean your gutters, and your yard drains every season.
You could risk causing debris to freeze in your gutter, resulting in the destruction of your home. You should also clean your downspouts.
A clogged downspout can lead to water buildup around the foundation of your house, which could cause you to have sweaty walls, seepage from the foundation, or a wet basement, if you have one.
See Sump Pump
Sump pumps can be found in crawl spaces or basements. They are located at the lowest point in your home and can prevent flooding from your basement. If it rains heavily, like it does in spring and summer, the sump pumps will pump water to your basement, which will then be pumped off to storm drains or detention ponds.
This is a simple way to test the system. Simply pour some water into the pump and check that it works. This is an excellent time to clean your sump. The draining ability of your sump pump could be affected if it is dirty. To learn the best way to clean your sump pumps, refer to your owner’s guide.
Your pump may not be getting enough water if it isn’t working properly. You should contact a plumbing company.
Slow drainage is possible by checking outdoor drains as well as floor drains
Check for slow drainage if there are any floor drains or drains within your yard. These drains will likely have clogs from debris. In the winter, outdoor drains are more susceptible to being damaged. You should look at the top-rated drain solutions if these drains become blocked.
You should also check the sprinkler systems for any dirt or grass. Make sure all sprinkler heads work as they should. If any are damaged, replace them.
Exercise Water Main Valve
If your plumbing has been working well for you, chances are your water main valve is still open. Although an open water main valve indicates a working plumbing system, it is good to check it every now and again to ensure it can be shut off easily.
If the valve is left open for too long it may be difficult to close off in an emergency. This is an easy way to make sure your water main valve works like a dream.