Spring is in the air! The month of May, homeowners use this time to declutter and start fresh by checking off their spring cleaning to-do lists. Make sure plumbing is a priority on your list with the following helpful tips:
Check Your Water Heater
Drain at least 2 to 3 gallons of water from your water heater to flush out sediment. Sediment can create blockages, reducing your unit’s efficiency, and shortening its lifespan.
- Now is the time to ensure your water heater is set to 120°F to reduce energy, help prolong your water heater’s lifespan, and help prevent scalding.
- Inspect your unit for leaks and corrosion, examining for rust or puddles.
- If your water heater is more than 15 years old, you may want to consider replacing it for a newer, energy-efficient model. It may seem costly up front, but a more modern unit will help to save money on your monthly energy bill due to running much more efficiently than an older model. A newer unit is also much less likely to get damaged and/or need repairs, which can get expensive.
Check Other Appliances
- Inspect your refrigerator, washing machine, and dishwasher for water leaks or bulging hoses. You should have the hoses replaced right away if you see any signs of leakage or bulging to prevent them from bursting. Any supply hoses that are ten years or older should also be replaced. We recommend using stainless steel replacement hoses due to overall durability.
- Most washing machines have lint traps, so make sure yours is cleaned after each use to help prevent blockages.
- If your kitchen sink contains a garbage disposal, you can grind ice cubes to help sharpen the blades and help clear away any waste buildup. You can also grind lemon or orange peels to provide a fresh scent.
Inspect Indoor Plumbing Fixtures
- Pour a gallon of water down seldom used drains to fill the p-trap and help prevent any odors.
- Look underneath all of your sinks and make sure there are no signs of leaks.
- Test your toilet for leaks. A quick, easy way to test your toilet for leaks is by adding food coloring into your tank. If the water in the toilet bowl turns that color within about 30 minutes, you have a leak.
Outside the Home
- Remove your outdoor faucet caps and turn on the faucets, if you notice water leaking in your home, your pipes may have frozen and burst over winter and need to be replaced.
- Remove any debris from plumbing vent pipes.
Clean-out Gutters & Downspouts
- Inspect your gutters and downspouts and remove debris and animal nests from them. Blocked gutters can lead to standing water (which can attract pests), soil erosion, and flooding. Blocked gutters can also affect the integrity of your roofing.
- Make sure your yard drains are also clean and free of debris.
If you don’t feel skilled enough or you’ve discovered you need to repair or replace a plumbing fixture, contact us. Gene Wagner Plumbing is dedicated to providing the highest quality service to our customers while using the most state-of-the-art, quality materials available in the marketplace. Contact us or call us at 414-541-9217.
