7 Plumbing Tips and Best Practices for Spring

Spring is upon us and it’s the perfect time of year to maintain your plumbing system! Spring plumbing tips help you keep your water heater, sump pump, faucets, and plumbing appliances in top shape for the year to come. Check your sump pump, clean gutters, and downspouts, check your water heater system, and more to avoid hidden leaks and prevent other plumbing problems. Make these plumbing tips part of your spring cleaning routine this season!

1. Inspect Your Sump Pump

Spring rains are often heavy throughout Central Indiana, and they’ve already started. If your home has a basement or crawlspace, your sump pump will work hard over the next few months to eliminate water infiltration to lower the risk of a flood and resulting water damage under your house.

Make sure to test your sump pump each month to ensure it works correctly. You may also need to clean the sump pit to remove debris that could lead to clogs.

Pour a bucket of water into the sump pit to raise the float switch and activate the sump pump (if water level in the sump pit is low, you may need to add more than just one bucket of water). Make sure the sump pump comes on – if it does not, call for plumbing repairs now.
Remove any leaves or other debris that have fallen into the sump pit or that are blocking the discharge line.
Test your battery backup sump pump to make sure it also works correctly should your power go out or water levels become too much for the primary sump pump to handle.

2. Check Your Water Heater

Spring plumbing maintenance means you should also check your water heater for signs of leaks or corrosion. Corrosion around the bottom of a water heater tank indicates the presence of a leak and may mean your water heater will soon fail. If you notice corrosion or water around the base of the water heater tank in your basement or utility room, contact your plumber to have the unit inspected. Ignoring these signs of hidden leaks and potential system failure can lead to serious water damage to your home later on this year.

3. Clean Your Gutters

If your gutters and downspouts are filled with leaves and other debris, water will not flow away from the home correctly. Gutters and downspouts with clogs often lead to water coming into the basement or crawlspace, which can cause a flood and damage the house. Mae sure drains gutters and downspouts are free of clogs so water can exit away from your home without causing leaks in your foundation.

4. Watch for Outdoor Water Leaks

Spring is the time of year when homeowners start up sprinkler systems and attach hoses for use in gardening and landscaping. If you did not winterize outdoor faucets, there could be damage from frozen water in the pipes over the winter – turn on faucets and observe the attached water pipes for leaks and replace these pipes or the faucet itself if damaged.

If you did not drain and store garden hoses safely over the winter, there could be cracks in the hoses that cause a loss of water and increase your water bills when watering plants this season. Inspect hoses to make sure they are in good condition before you reattach the hose to your outdoor faucets and turn them on.

5. Test Water Valves

The plumbing supply pipes in your home have valves on them which allow you to shut off water flow in the event of a leak. It’s important that you periodically test these valves to make sure they are in good working condition, as they can become stuck when left idle for too long. Locate the main water shutoff valve as well as valves on supply pipes running to faucets and each toilet – open and close them a few times to make sure they operate correctly.

6. Look for Hidden Water Leaks in the House

Water leaks can exist right under your nose, causing a big increase on your family’s water bill. Check these locations and appliances throughout the house to determine if a leak exists so you can call for plumbing repair.

Washing machine hoses periodically require replacement as they crack and break. Inspect the hoses for damage and make sure they are tightly connected to water supply faucets, and that the drain hose is properly inserted into the drain to prevent leaks.
The toilet tank is another source of hidden leaks, as water leaks from the toilet water tank to the bowl within the fixture. Add a few drops of food coloring to the toilet tank and wait about 15 minutes. Check the bowl to see if colored water has made it to the bowl – if so, there is a leak between the toilet tank and bowl.

7. Schedule Spring Plumbing Maintenance

Just like your heating and cooling systems, your plumbing system needs spring plumbing maintenance, too. While these spring plumbing tips can do a lot for your pipes and fixtures, the service of a skilled professional works to keep your plumbing system in top shape throughout the year. When you perform spring cleaning, be sure to contact your plumber to schedule a plumbing maintenance visit.

A plumbing maintenance service visit does so much more than DIY tips, so it’s critical you make it part of your spring maintenance routine. A plumber fully inspects pipes, faucets, drains, appliances, fixtures, and gas lines to ensure everything is in good working order, no hidden leaks are present, and your emergency backup systems will work when needed.

Our True Comfort Membership plan includes the service you need to save money, keep plumbing components clean, and make sure your home plumbing is free of damage caused over the winter months. Contact us today to learn more.

Plumbing Tips and More for Spring

Williams Comfort Air aims to keep your plumbing components clean and in top shape, and we encourage you to make these spring plumbing tips part of your annual maintenance routine. When you’re ready to schedule your professional maintenance plumbing service, give us a call!