Checking Your Pipes After the Deep Freeze: Spring Plumbing Tips
It’s time for your Spring plumbing tips. The snow is starting to melt, and the sun is starting to linger just a little longer. Spring is finally coming around the bend, and we’re not mad about it! So, while you’re putting together your spring-cleaning list, don’t forget to make these a part of it.
Your water systems take a beating all year round, but when it’s winter you also have to consider the additional strain, the cold has had on your pipes. For instance, thawing pipes may start to leak if they have frozen and burst over the winter, so checking them in spring is the best time to do it. As they say, ‘fix the roof while the sun’s shining.
But while you’re checking your pipes (and possibly fixing the roof), here are some other plumbing tips you should add to your springtime plumbing checklist.
A Springtime Plumbing Checklist
Plumbing Tip: Checking for Frozen Pipes
The first plumbing tip we have for your spring-cleaning checklist is to check for frozen pipes. Any pipes you have that run underground are susceptible to freezing over the winter. When the water in your pipes freezes, it also expands, possibly leading to a burst pipe, which can cause leaking and water damage inside your home.
If you have a basement, check where any pipes come in from the ground outside. If you don’t have a basement, check the crawl spaces on the exterior walls of your home. If you see condensation or any wet spots, this could be a sign that you have a leaking pipe. Water damage can also cause mold growth, so be on the lookout for that as well.
Check out our blog with some helpful hints on how to prevent frozen pipes. If your pipes do freeze in the winter, one thing you can try to thaw them is by using a hair dryer on any pipes you know or think to be frozen. A heat lamp might also be used, but it is recommended that you do not use an open flame. This could be a serious fire hazard.
Drain Any Sediment in Your Water Heater
Over time, sediment may collect in the bottom of your water heater. This can not only reduce how efficiently it works in the long run, but it could also mean an early death for your water heater.
Draining your water heater can be a time-consuming process, and it requires a bit of knowledge. If you have never done it yourself, or you’re not entirely comfortable with how to do it, it is recommended that you call a plumber. One of the best plumbing tips we can give you is to make sure you are getting your water heater regularly cleaned. If sediment is left uncleaned, it’s very likely the buildup will cause the water heater to break entirely.
Turn the Valves and Check Your Outdoor Faucets
Where there’s water, there trend’s to be rust. Here’s another important plumbing tip for you: turn the valves in your plumbing system. Even if they aren’t rusted, they can get sticky and nearly impossible to turn if left untouched after some time. While you’re at it, check any outdoor faucets; this can be another indicator of a leak in your pipes. If you can stop the flow of water with your hand, this could mean it’s not getting the full supply of power because of a leak somewhere in your line.
Check Your Toilets for Leaks
Do you have to hold your lever down to flush your toilet? It may seem normal to you now, but it will save you money and water to have it repaired. Consider trying this simple process to locate leaks in your toilet yourself. Simple leaks may be able to be fixed by simply replacing the seal. If your problems are more severe, it could be time to call in a professional.
Clean the Gutters
This is definitely on our short list of plumbing tips that aren’t much fun. But it’s also on our short list of jobs that will save you a lot of money if done regularly.
Gutters do a simple job: they funnel water away from your home. They help to prevent a lot of damage that water can do to your home over time. But, if the gutters are clogged with leaves, pine needles, and other debris, it’s not going to do that job effectively. Regularly cleaning the gutters is going to save you a much bigger headache in the form of water and property damage.
The Best Plumbing Tip? Call a Plumber!
There’s always that one thing. The one thing we know is wrong with our home; is the one thing we need to call someone about, but we just haven’t gotten around to it yet. Let’s face it, the longer we wait, the bigger the bill is going to be. So call that plumber now before it costs you more time and money. Little problems have a way of becoming big problems if we don’t take care of them.
So if there’s any job that’s too big for you to take care of yourself or a job that takes some extra tools or knowledge, don’t be afraid to get in touch with a professional. We all want to be the ultimate handyman, but a wise person knows when they’re in over their head.
Strike When the Ice is Melting, and the Sun is Shining
It’s been a long, hard winter, and we all want to start relaxing in the sunshine. But we’ve got plenty of time to enjoy ourselves, and only a finite amount of time before our little problems become big ones with big price tags.
So while you’re spring cleaning with the family, make these plumbing tips part of your routine, and make it part of your routine every year! Regular maintenance for your home is the best measure you can take to ensure a long and happy life for your home.
Take care of what you can for yourself, and when you need some help, don’t hesitate to call your friends at Laury Heating Cooling & Plumbing!
