Spring is usually a moment to deep clean your home after winter. However, most people neglect to check their plumbing system until problems arise. This season is a good time to check and maintain your plumbing to ensure that is ready for the summer. The spring maintenance allows detecting issues early to avoid them from escalatingwhich might lead to costly damages. When planning to tune-up your plumbing this season, here are 6 items that should be on your checklist.
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Pipes
It is very important to check your pipes for leaks. This is best down by a professional plumber with the expertise, experience, and appropriate tools. The plumber will check for leaking pipes and signs of corrosion. Additionally, the plumber will also evaluate water lines that supply the water heater and washing machine to determine those that need replacement. Leaky pipes cause high water pressure and the plumber will fix the leak and adjust the pressure accordingly.
Pipes are prone to obstruction from dirt, hair, and small toys. When these accumulate into the plumbing pipes, they cause obstruction leading to slow or clogged drains. A professional plumber applies the drain cleaner to eliminate obstructions. This requires a professional application to limit damage to your pipes. The plumber can also place drain filters in the sinks and tubs to avoid clogs.
Toilet
The toilet is prone to various problems. A phantom flush is when your toilet runs intermittently. This results from a very slow leak from the tank into the bowl or bad flapper. Another possible problem with the toilet is a leaky seal. This might result from a faulty seal that needs tightening or replacement. The leak causes water to shoot from underneath the bowl on every flush. You have to hire a plumber in Sacramento to replace the seal after draining and removing the tank.
Other common toilet problems that the plumber can fix include:
- Clogged drains
- Toilet not flushing
- Dropped water level
- Trickling water into the tank
- Bowl that empties slowly
- Toilet that doesn’t stop running
Water heater
The water heater is usually installed out of sight until a problem occurs. Most people ignore checking their water heaters until it fails to deliver hot water as expected. Sometimes, the water heater might fail to produce any hot water. This is usually caused by a blown-out pilot light for gas-powered water heaters. The water heater might also produce smelly water resulting from a bacterial infection. Solving this requires flushing the tank ad adding hydrogen peroxide.
The water heater is not noisy while operating normally, then the tank begins to make noise, it might result from sedimentation. Additionally, a burnt-out heating element might also make the water heater produce noise. You have to call a professional plumber to replace the heating element. When the water heater tank begins to leak, it is a sign that you need a replacement.
Appliances
During the spring tune-up for your plumbing system, don’t ignore appliances including washing machine, dishwasher, and garbage disposal. It is important to have the plumber check your appliances for issues and fix them before the problem escalates. A garbage disposal allows disposing of left-over food. However, it is prone to problems including:
- Slow draining
- Foul odor
- Failing to turn on
- Grinding noise
- Jammed equipment
The plumber should also check the water supply hoses for bulges and leaks. Replace hoses older than ten years or those with signs of weakness. Opt for stainless steel hoses for extra strength, reliability, and durability. These are less prone to wear compared to plastic hoses. The washing machine needs checking to limit materials that might find their way inside the pipes before ending up in the machine. A wire trap is recommended at the end of the hose to drain the washer after trapping foreign objects.
Sump pump
The sump pump eliminates water away from the home’s foundation through a discharge pipe. When the sump fails, you end up with a flooded basement leading to expensive water damage. Keep in mind that any water pool regardless of size on the basement floor might become a nasty mold problem. It is very important to have the plumber consider the sump pump during the spring plumbing tune-up. Some of the possible sump pump problems include:
- Inappropriate size to handle size of pump
- Power loss from a tripped circuit breaker or power outage
- Clogged discharge line with rocks, roots, dirt, and other debris
- Burnt out pump from overworked, faulty, or underpowered float switch
Bottom line
After coming up with your spring plumbing checklist, knowing a reputable plumber is equally important. The right plumber should have the experience, expertise, and the right tools to ensure that your plumbing system is healthy and ready for the summer. You have to keep the plumber’s number on your speed dial to save yourself from plumbing disasters.