As spring arrives, plumbing may not be the first thing on your mind. However, it is a great time to schedule maintenance. Your plumbing may have taken a beating over the winter and you can avoid serious trouble later. If you’re considering a full maintenance check on your plumbing system, here is a to-do checklist that will help you be completely thorough.
Checking Indoor Plumbing
Maintaining your home plumbing system must include a look at:
- Toilets: Toilets can leak without you knowing it, wasting a great deal of water over time. You can check for a leak by adding a few drops of food coloring to the tank. If the color shows up in the bowl, there is a leak. A professional plumber can help determine if there’s a leak as well, diagnose its cause, and provide the right solution.
- Water Heaters: The water heater tank should be drained of sediment once a year, by a professional. Flushing the tank helps the unit run more efficiently and prevents corrosion, as this sediment can interfere with performance and cause rust.
- Drains: Test your drains for any slow running, and/or schedule a professional camera inspection to determine what’s stopping up your drains. Install drain stoppers over each drain to prevent larger particles from getting inside.
- Sump Pump: Check your sump pump by pouring a bucket of water into the pit. The pump should cycle on. If it doesn’t respond as expected, have a professional check if anything is caught, such as dirt or gravel, and consider installing a flood alarm or backup power source.
- Appliances: Washing machines, dishwashers, ice makers, and other appliances can develop problems with hoses, which can wear out, become weak, and eventually burst. Fortunately, these can be easily replaced before there’s a problem.
- Shower Heads: Mineral build-up and mold can be reduced by cleaning your showerheads often. Make a habit of doing so regularly and whenever it looks like the material is collecting on surfaces.
Check for Pipe Leaks
Start with pipes under sinks or in the basement, and inspect for visual indication of a problem, such as moisture, rust, cracks, or small holes. If there are damp spots on the walls or ceiling, warm areas on the floor, or peeling paint/wallpaper, you may have a leak. Call a plumber in these instances or it sounds like water is running but no plumbing fixtures are on.
Inspect Garbage Disposals
Clean your garbage disposal to prevent clogging. Also use regular care to not put in vegetable scraps, grease or fat, rice, pasta, fruit pits, or bones. And if the disposal gets clogged up, never stick your fingers inside to try to remove the clog.
Checking Tiles and Grout
Grout and caulk should be inspected for damage. Do a thorough check of sinks, tubs, and showers. If there’s any damage to grout or caulk the damaged area/fixture should be repaired or replaced to prevent any further water damage.
Outdoor Plumbing
As important as it is to maintain your indoor plumbing system, your outdoor plumbing needs attention too. You can protect your home by:
- Cleaning gutters and downspouts
- Checking the crawl space for moisture and pooling water
- Inspecting the sprinkler system for leaks
- Checking water valves for leaks and proper function
- Identifying underground plumbing structures before planting trees
- Making sure exterior drains and faucets are working
Contact Express Plumbing
As Boise’s #1 plumbing service company, we can help with your spring plumbing maintenance. Our trained technicians can thoroughly inspect plumbing inside and outside your home and address any issues quickly. To schedule service or learn more about our specials, protection plans, and financing, contact us online or by phone.
