In the spring, a homeowner’s fancy turns to… maintenance. That may not be a romantic sentiment, but it’s a practical one, because spring is a great time to take care of things like spring cleaning and home renovation. It’s also the perfect time to make sure your plumbing is up to par. Doing some routine maintenance in the spring can help protect your home from clogs, leaks, and water damage, keeping your home functional all through the year.
- Check up on your water heater. When the weather is cold, people sometimes turn up their water heaters. Professionals don’t recommend this, because keeping the water heater in your home set to 120 degrees can prolong the life of your water heater and prevent scalding. If you did turn up the temperature, spring is a good time to turn it back down. When you do, check it for signs of corrosion or leaks, like puddles, rust, or soot. It’s also a good time to drain the water heater. When sediment collects in the bottom of the tank, it reduces its efficiency. If your water heater has signs of damage or you don’t feel comfortable draining it yourself, call a plumber.
- Watch for outdoor leaks. Over the winter, outdoor pipes can freeze and break. Once everything thaws out, you’ll want to look for water leaks in the pipes attached to your sprinklers and faucets. Sometimes, a water leak inside the house when you turn on your outdoor faucets for the first time in the spring can mean that once of your pipes froze and broke during the winter.
- Turn the water valves in your home. The water valves can become difficult to turn as time passes, so it’s wise to turn them off and back on once a year. Doing this as part of your regular springtime maintenance makes it easy to remember and helps keep the parts from becoming stuck.
- Inspect your pipes and hoses. Look under your sinks to make sure there are no leaks and check the hoses that supply water to appliances like your dishwasher and washing machine. Any moisture, rust, puddles, or corrosion are warning signs that you have a leak and need to call a plumber.
- Test the toilet. Put food coloring in the toilet tank, and if the water in the bowl turns the color of the dye within 30 minutes, your toilet has a leak that needs repair.
If you need some help with your spring plumbing maintenance, trust Puget Sound Plumbing to help. For over 20 years, we’ve been taking care of business owners and homeowners in Seattle, and we can meet all your heating, cooling and plumbing needs. Family owned and operated, we provide superior service at affordable prices because our customers are our top priority. For help with your plumbing 24 hours a day, seven days a week, call (206) 350-0079 or contact us through our website.