The RAM Plumbing Guide to Spring Plumbing Maintenance

Spring is the perfect time to refresh and clean your home, and it’s also the best time to perform some simple home plumbing maintenance tasks. Maintaining your home’s water heater, bathrooms and plumbing won’t take you a lot of time, but will ensure your home is in good working order and that you’re using water efficiently. Put aside a little time on the weekend to handle the following tasks, and you’ll proceed into the warmer months knowing your home is in great shape.

Check your Water Heater

If you turned the temperature up during the colder months, it’s time to lower it a bit. Aim for 120 degrees in order to get hot (but not scalding) water. This will also prolong the life of your water heater. If you have young children in the house or elderly relatives, it’s also a good idea to lower the temperature in order to cut the risk of accidental burns when they turn the water on. Check under and around the water heater for moisture to be sure there are no leaks, as well. Rust, soot or debris could be a sign that your water heater needs professional help.

Flush your Water Heater

Spring is a great time for this annual task, too, which will help remove any sediment and prolong the life of your water heater.

Sprinklers, Hoses and Faucet Check

Take a quick look at your outdoor sprinklers and faucets. If you see signs of leaking or puddles of water, you could have a broken or leaking pipe. Having this repaired will not only prevent all that standing water, but also lower your water bill. A leak you don’t know about still “counts” toward your utility bill usage and will cost you extra money every month.

Sinks and Cabinets

Inspect under each sink in your home, including the kitchen, baths and garage. You’re looking for signs of water damage or leaks. If you see puddles, pooled, or dripping water or smell a musty odor, you may have a leak. Catching minor leaks like this early and fixing them ensures your family isn’t exposed to mold or mildew and that a minor problem does not become a major one.

Pressure Check

Test each of your faucets, both inside the house and out, including all hose connections and water spigots. You should get strong, steady water pressure from each one. If you do not, there could be a leak or other problem preventing your water from flowing. You can also check your drains at this time and make sure that water flows steadily away without pooling or standing.

This chore make take an hour or two, depending on the water heater and whether or not you’ve done it in the past. If you’re not comfortable draining the water heater yourself, get a professional plumber.

Test for Toilet Leaks

Add a few drops of food coloring into the back tank of your toilet. If the bowl begins to turn color within a half an hour or so, you have a leak in your toilet tank. Tracking this leak down and fixing it can help cut your water usage and costs this spring.

Performing the checks above in the spring allows you to spot the signs of pending plumbing issues and take action before they can become a larger issue. If you spot any of the signs of trouble listed above, we can help. Contact us right away for prompt, expert attention to your home’s plumbing repair needs. Give your Tucson plumbing experts a call if you spot any signs of trouble.