Spring Plumbing Maintenance
With the weather getting nicer spring cleaning is going to start both inside and outside. This is a perfect time to address spring maintenance to avoid plumbing troubles later in the season.
INDOORS
The key to effective indoor spring plumbing maintenance is checking your drains. You will need to inspect all drains in your home to make sure they are all working properly. If you were to find an issue give us a call so we call so we can have a technician come out and fix the problem ASAP. Here are a few maintenance tips to follow.
Check all pipes inside your home for signs of leaks such as puddles or water marks. Never hesitate to give us a plumber a call if you need assistance.
Inspect your toilet bowl and tank for any leaks. This can be done by adding a few dozen food coloring drops to the inside of the toilet tank. If you notice the food coloring inside the toilet bowl within 30 minutes, you have a leak.
Check for slow leaks around your home. You can check this by taking a water meter reading and then avoid using your water for the next couple hours. If after about 2 hours go by and the reading changes, you have a leak.
Check all water-using appliances in your home, such as your dishwasher/washing machine for any cracked, bulging or worn hoses. Replace any hoses that are cracked or worn to prevent any further leaks.
Check the drains in your home that are not used often by pouring a gallon of water down them to fill the trap and prevent odors from entering your home. Another way to prevent the water from evaporating is to add vegetable oil (1/4) into other drain that doesn’t get used often (plumbers trick. Any drains that are slow should be snaked to prevent more issues.
By taking these small steps as a homeowner each spring it can help you same money on water consumption and can help prevent future problems. Checking for leaks in your toilet or pipes wont take up to much or your time but will save you money and possible headaches and problems in the future. Always feel free to give us a call for any of your plumbing questions or needs.
OUTDOORS
As the weather gets nicer and the temperature outside rises different problems can arise. This is an important time to perform some outdoor plumbing maintenance to make sure everything is in tip top shape and working efficiently. Here is an outdoor checklist to follow.
Turn on any outdoor spigots to make sure they are not leaking. If you detect any leaks or drips make sure to do any repairs ASAP.
Clear your gutters and downspouts of any leaves or bird nests.
Check for any bird nest they may have been built in plumbing vents.
192 gallons a month: wasted by a dripping faucet
30-500 gallons/day: loss from leaking toilet