When the weather warms up and spring finally arrives, most families make home maintenance a priority. In addition to spring cleaning, it’s smart to make sure gutters, water-using appliances, and plumbing fixtures are in great shape. Check your water heater, sump pump, washing machine hoses, toilets, and water valves this spring to avoid indoor leaks, sudden system problems, and mold and mildew growth. Remember these plumbing tips during routine home maintenance to avoid issues.
Louisville wouldn’t have rolling green fields of grass without those helpful springtime rainstorms, but when you have a basement or crawlspace, you could also be faced with indoor flooding. When water makes its way into your home, sump pumps can drain away standing water to prevent flooding and water damage. Before spring, take the time to look over your sump pump and test it carefully to make sure it is working properly.
Over time, water heaters can develop interior and exterior corrosion due to chemical reactions between the minerals in water and the metal. If rust penetrates through the side of the tank, it could flood your home. Check the entire body of your water heater for corrosion or rust accumulation. If you see any inconsistencies in the metal or there is evidence of rust damage, contact a plumber to have your unit thoroughly inspected to prevent problems.
Gutters that are filled with dead leaves, twigs, and other debris aren’t capable of moving water away from your roof correctly. If clogs are present, it could even cause roofing issues, mold growth within your attic, or a flooded basement or crawlspace. Clean out gutters carefully by hand, and then rinse them with clean water from a garden hose to check the flow rate from your roof. If you spot areas where water isn’t moving properly, look for additional clogs, and continue cleaning until water flows easily.
While you might be ready to fire up your sprinkler system and get working on your yard, it’s important to keep an eye out for leaks. After you turn on your irrigation, check for broken sprinkler heads or damaged lines that could be leaking water. During watering, you may see pressurized water escaping the line, and between waterings, the ground may be soft and marshy. Check outdoor faucets for nearby puddling or leaks. If either issue is present, reach out to a professional plumber to have the issue resolved to prevent indoor flooding and outdoor landscaping damage. Inspect hoses for cracks or other signs of physical damage before you connect them to faucets and turn them on.
Your home plumbing system is designed with valves that give you the opportunity to shut off the flow of water if there is a leak. To make sure these valves are operational, it’s important to test them periodically to make sure they aren’t stuck. Over time, limescale can collect around the interior valve components, creating issues later. Look for the main water shutoff valve in your home and locate the supplemental valves. Open and close each valve a few times to make sure it’s fully functional.
Water leaks can waste water and increase your utility costs. Unfortunately, water pipes can leak in all kinds of places, which can make it difficult to spot. Check these locations to look for issues.
When it comes to protecting your home from water damage, mold, and indoor flooding, maintenance is worth every penny. Plumbing systems require maintenance just like any other system in your home, so have a professional come out to your home to check for issues. During plumbing maintenance, experts will look for hidden leaks, damaged pipes, problematic faucets, and gas line issues. If leaks are present, pipes weren’t installed correctly, or there are issues with damaged fixtures, your plumber will discuss the issue with you and talk about the next steps.
To make it easier to keep your plumbing system in excellent shape, consider signing up for a True Comfort Membership. Here at Jarboe’s Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, we offer the True Comfort Membership to take the stress out of home maintenance. We offer plans for your plumbing along with your HVAC system, so you can prevent issues. Give us a call to find out more about how to sign up.
Jarboe’s Heating, Cooling & Plumbing is committed to helping you to keep your plumbing in great shape. Take advantage of these great maintenance plans to prevent issues with your system. We are ready to help you schedule professional maintenance plumbing service today, so give us a call.