This winter season was a bit of a roller coaster ride for Maryland residents, with both low and high temperatures, but we officially entered spring! Spring is the perfect time to give your plumbing system a little bit of TLC to ensure it is ready to handle the change of seasons and the potential rain which can put a strain on your plumbing. It is important to take some precautions and perform some maintenance tasks to keep everything in working order so we’ve pulled together the below spring plumbing checklist with our top seasonal plumbing tips to help get you started!
Check your Sump Pump
Our first plumbing tip for the changing season is to check your sump pump. Spring showers can quickly flood more vulnerable areas of your home like basements and crawl spaces. A sump pump is only activated when it is needed and is meant to pump water out of these vulnerable areas, away from your home, to avoid flooding.
Just like any other system in your home, your sump pump can develop faults. Unlike other systems, though, it is often not obvious that your sump pump isn’t working properly until it is too late and it becomes a major spring plumbing problem. Checking your sump pump allows you to identify any issues before they cause any costly damage to your home. To check your sump pump, you can pour a bucket of water into the sump pit. Your sump pump should turn on and remove the water. Your sump pump should be inspected regularly to ensure it works properly when it’s needed most.
Upgrade your Shower Heads and Toilets
One way to prepare your plumbing for the spring weather is to consider spring plumbing upgrades. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average American family uses more than 300 gallons of water per day at home. Roughly 70 percent of this use occurs indoors with flushing the toilet accounting for 24 percent and 20 percent coming from showering.
Upgrading our home’s shower heads and toilets to more water-efficient models can result in reduced water consumption, about a 40 percent decrease for the average family. Not only will this save you money on your water bill, but it’s also better for the environment as using less water helps to preserve a safe water supply and decreases water delivery and treatment costs.
Fix Leaks
Another key spring plumbing maintenance tip is to fix leaks within your home. Leaks can waste a surprising amount of water over time. The Environmental Protection Agency found that the average household’s leaks can account for nearly 10,000 gallons of water wasted every year with ten percent of homes having leaks that waste 90 gallons or more per day.
Common types of leaks include leaky faucets, worn toilet flappers, and other broken or leaking water pipes. These types of leaks are often easy an fix to avoid high water bills. They require only a few tools and hardware that can pay for themselves in water savings.
Check Your Water Heater
Over the winter, your water heater needed to work harder than usual so spring is a good time to check your water heater for any underlying issues. Sediment and other minerals tend to build up on the bottom of water heaters. This causes your water heater to utilize more energy and lose efficiency over time. Your home’s water heater should be flushed out regularly to avoid build up and prevent damage.
If you have a gas water heater, it’s important to keep an eye on the pilot, thermocouple, and pilot control valve. In electric water heaters, it’s important to inspect the thermostat and heating elements. A licensed Warrior plumber will be able to assess these parts for faults and ensure they are working properly with a spring plumbing tune-up.
Schedule a Professional Plumbing Inspection
Consider scheduling a spring plumbing inspection to make sure your entire system is in good working order. Scheduling regular plumbing maintenance for the spring season to maintain your plumbing systems can help prevent plumbing problems before they become emergencies. A plumber can inspect your plumbing, identify any potential issues, and make any necessary repairs or upgrades. It’s recommended that you schedule maintenance at least once a year to keep your plumbing system in good condition.
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