Remove Damage Caused by Winter Storms
Ah, springtime! Flowers are blooming, birds are singing, and it’s time for a home plumbing checkup. That last bit might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of spring, but this is indeed the perfect season to take stock of your home plumbing system and note any damage that may have been caused by winter storms. Below, we list residential plumbers’ tips on how to conduct a basic maintenance examination for your plumbing this spring.
Clear Debris from Downspouts, Gutters, and Drains
Spring showers bring us beautiful flowers – as well as water leaks, mold, and mildew in drainage systems that are clogged with detritus. In addition to cleaning out your gutters and downspouts, you’ll want to conduct a property inspection to ensure any plumbing vents are clear of leaves, birds’ nests, sticks, and so forth. If you don’t have the right equipment for this type of work (including a tall, stable ladder), call a plumbing repair company or gutter cleaning service for help. Many residential plumbers are happy to carry out these maintenance-oriented drainage tasks.
Show Your Showerhead some Love
A weak shower is one of the most irritating experiences in home plumbing. Minerals naturally present in water can clog showerheads and decrease water pressure. While you carry out your bathroom spring cleaning, upgrade your shower experience by cleaning out your showerhead, as well. White vinegar is an excellent cleaning solution for this purpose; it naturally breaks down the minerals that block water flow.
Fill a plastic bag with white vinegar and use a couple of strong rubber bands to attach this bag to the showerhead. Each separate hole in the showerhead should be submerged in vinegar. Let the whole thing soak for about 24 hours, then enjoy the improved water pressure that follows.
Check for Frozen Pipes and Broken Hose Bibs
As every home plumbing expert knows, the need for plumbing repair often stems from the expansion of water into ice. Water expands 9 percent when moving from a liquid to a solid state. For this reason, it’s best to turn off and drain any water supplies you suspect may freeze.
While carrying out your spring plumbing inspection, make sure all elements of your water system are functional and leak-free. Do all of the faucets work? Can you see liquid pooling around any pipes in your crawl space? How about your outside hose bibs – do they work? In addition to broken pipes, ice can destroy hose bibs, the special faucets that connect the hose to the side of your home. If you do discover ice-related damage, it’s time to get these replaced by your preferred residential plumbers.
Toilet Care 101
A broken toilet is probably the most inconvenient plumbing repair needed. Practice proactive home plumbing by testing your toilet for problems. As residential plumbers can tell you, the sooner you know about a toilet malfunction, the easier it is to repair it.
First, flush. If you need to jiggle or hold down the handle, it’s time to call for a plumbing repair. Although these issues may seem inconsequential now, they can turn into a real nightmare later. Furthermore, you’ll save on your water bills if this problem is fixed.
Be sure to check the toilet for cracks and leaks. Examine the exterior for cracks. To see if there is an internal leak put a few drops of food coloring in the tank. If there is food coloring in the toilet bowl half an hour later, your toilet is leaking and you should call a home plumbing professional.
Check that All Drains Have Filters
Residential plumbers invariably recommend that you place a filter on each drain in your home to prevent hair and other items from clogging your pipes.
Notice Dripping Faucets, and Replace Washers
While checking the functionality of each faucet in your home, notice if a certain faucet keeps dripping after you’ve turned it off. In most cases, a faulty washer causes a dripping faucet –residential plumbers can complete this plumbing repair for you.
While conducting your plumbing investigation, ensure that your dishwasher, water heater, clothes washer, and sump pump get some attention, as well. If any of these elements are malfunctioning, it will bring you peace of mind to carry out requisite plumbing repair projects now, rather than let them languish into the summer months.
Want a plumbing inspection once you’re done to make sure everything is working up to speed? Call 3 Mountains Plumbing Plumbing today!
