Spring Plumbing Maintenance Checklist

Plumbing maintenance during springtime goes a long way in ensuring the longevity of your drainage systems. By the end of the winter season, most homeowners do a spring clean-up of their garden, lawn, and surrounding areas. It usually requires using large quantities of water, which puts a heavier strain on your plumbing system than in the cold winter months.

Pipe leakage, damaged lines, and burst piping can cause extensive water damage to your home. It could eventually result in mould growth, rotting floorboards, and thousands of dollars in expenditure. 

All homeowners should prepare for spring by checking and inspecting their plumbing for any signs of breakage and damage. Here are some helpful tips to ensure your pipes run smoothly and are prepared for spring and summer.

Deep Clean All Your Pipes

Bathrooms and kitchens are the most important spaces for maintaining pipes and fixtures. The bathrooms and kitchen require more tedious and regular cleaning to keep everything well-functioning. It is crucial to ensure that your faucets are cleaned out and free from any blockages to keep things running smoothly. 

Depending on where you live and the kind of water filter you have installed, your showerhead can also get blocked with mineral deposits. The showerheads should be cleaned with non-abrasive chemicals that remove all sediments without damaging the shine or gloss of the metal.

Inspect Your Sump Pump

Many homeowners experience basement flooding. This is even more common during the early spring because the pipes are not used as extensively as in the wintertime. Thus, when the weather warms up, the water usage from spring cleaning is excessive, and the previously frozen pipes (especially the older ones) tend to burst. It is a good practice to inspect your sump pumps earlier in the season so that you are prepared if you need to make any adjustments. 

To check your sump pump, disconnect the power source of the pump and remove the pump screen and inlet. Clean out the line and remove any debris or blockage that could be limiting the water flow. Plug the power back and test the sump pump by pouring a few buckets of water into the pump. You can add some vinegar mixture into this water bucket to eliminate any residual mould or mildew build-up inside the machine.

Check Your Sprinklers and Garden Faucets

The spring season calls for homeowners to get back to working on their gardens and lawns for the summer. Since the sprinklers and faucets outside have remained unused for several months, the outdoor pipes often freeze, break, or crack over the winter.

It is advisable to check your sprinklers and faucets to ensure they are in good working condition. Turn on the water and thoroughly inspect each head and faucet for any leaks.

Fix Your Indoor Faucets

Leaky taps develop over a period of time and can often go unnoticed. Many homeowners tend to ignore a leaky tap as it may seem harmless at first. 

A slowly leaking faucet can waste a lot of water over the course of an entire week. If you don’t want your water bills to increase, it is best to get this professionally fixed, so there is no future damage.

Reapply a Seal in Your Shower or Bathtub

A watertight silicone seal is extremely vital to protect your bathroom from moisture damage. As your home ages, the seal begins to wear away from the surfaces, leaving you at risk of developing mould in and around your plumbing fixtures.

If you start to notice mould or see your seal separating, it’s time to replace it. You can easily find caulking material at the hardware store and use it to reapply the seal. If you decide to do it yourself, make sure you get the caulking that is designed for mould and mildew prevention. Before you apply the new caulking, thoroughly remove the existing seal by scraping it clear and cleaning it to remove any moisture.

Check Household Appliances

Another crucial step to ensure good plumbing and housekeeping is removing sediment from your water heater tank by thoroughly flushing it out. This will improve its performance and extend its usage. You can include this activity as part of your annual spring plumbing maintenance.

You should also check your washing machine, dishwasher, and other appliances that have hoses for signs of cracks or damage. If the hose is cracked or worn, it needs to be replaced at the earliest.

Clear Your Clogs

If you have noticed water pooling in your shower stall or draining extremely slowly from your sink, you could have a blockage. Hair trapped in the pipes is a common culprit. Often, however, these clogs can be easily fixed by using vinegar and baking soda to clear out the blockage. 

On the hand, if you are experiencing a bigger blockage, you can use a drain snake for better results. It is also wise to have a licensed plumber do it professionally to prevent further damage.

Let us Take Care of Your Plumbing System

Trusting a licensed plumber to fix your plumbing is the smartest thing to do. If there are big damages, the best way to address them is professionally. For professional plumbing services in Toronto, don’t hesitate to contact Drain King Plumbers. To book an appointment, give us a call at 833-983-5663. For further details about our different drainage clearing services, visit our website or contact us here.