Your Spring Plumbing Maintenance Checklist

Spring is in the air! Soon we’ll all be opening our windows to let the house air out and bracing ourselves for the oncoming heat of summer. As you tackle spring cleaning in the living room, kitchen, and bedroom, it’s important to pay attention to your plumbing too. Get started on that by following this plumbing maintenance checklist for spring.

Outside

1. Clean out the gutters and downspouts.
2. Check any plumbing vent pipes you have for birds’ nests.
3. Check your sprinklers, outdoor faucets, hose bibs, etc. for leaks and blockages.

Kitchen

1. Make sure the dishwasher and ice maker are working properly and examine hoses for leaks or bulges. If you spot any, or if a hose is more than 10 years old, replace it.
2. Put a strainer over the kitchen drain to keep debris from clogging the pipes, unless you have a garbage disposal. If you do have a garbage disposal, make sure that’s in good working order.
3. Check the kitchen faucet for leaks and drips, and call a plumber for repairs right away if you find any.

Bathroom

1. Just like in the kitchen, make sure that the bathroom drains have strainers and that the faucets are all in good repair.
2. Make sure the toilets are working properly. Ensure that they flush and that there are no leaks in the tank.
3. Clean mineral deposits off of the showerhead by soaking the showerhead in vinegar overnight. You can do this either by unscrewing the showerhead and putting it in a bucket with the vinegar or putting the vinegar in a plastic bag secured to the showerhead with a rubber band. Clean any remaining deposits using an old toothbrush.

Other

1. Give your water heater a checkup. Flush out any sediment at the bottom, and make sure the temperature is set no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. If your washing machine has a lint trap, clean it out. Put some pantyhose over the line that drains the water to keep lint out. You can also use a wire trap for this.
3. Check your house for slow leaks. The easiest way to do this is to check the water meter right before you go to bed and to not use water during the night. Then, first thing in the morning, check it again. If any water has been used, then you have a leak that should be fixed right away.

With these twelve tips, you’ll be well on your way to ensuring that your plumbing is set up for a successful spring and beyond. However, we understand that it’s not always easy to take care of all these maintenance tasks yourself. That’s what we’re here for! If you need any help getting your plumbing ready for spring, give us a call today.