Whether you’re preparing for spring or just want to give your home a freshen up, it’s an ideal time for a spring clean. While you may be aware of the best ways to clean your home, you may find that there is some essential
plumbing advice to ensure that your home is in tip-top condition.
Checking Kitchens and Bathrooms
Bathrooms and kitchens are the most heavily used rooms in the house, so they tend to require some special attention. You should check all faucets for any leaks or drips, check for hidden leaks in toilets and inspect the toilet bowl and tank for any cracks or leaks. It is a good idea to make sure that all your toilets are flushing properly. If you need to hold the handle down or jiggle it to stop the flush running, you may be wasting a great deal of water and need to have some worn components replaced. Finally, check that you’ve installed a strainer on shower drains to prevent any soap, hair or other debris from being washed away and causing a clog.
Assess Your Appliances
Most appliances need some care and attention each year to ensure that they are working at optimum efficiency. You should assess your water heater settings and adjust them if the temperature is set higher than 120ºf. Reducing the temperature will not only eliminate the risk of scalding, but it will also reduce your energy usage. If your water heater is over 15 years old, it could be the ideal time to upgrade to a new and more energy efficient model.
It is also a good time to check your appliance supply hoses for any bulges or signs of leaks. Any hoses that are showing signs of damage or aging should be replaced before they burst and cause a leak.
General Maintenance
If you have drains around your home that are infrequently used, it is a good idea to pour a gallon of water down. This will prevent any drain odors escaping through a dried trap. You should also check for signs of leaks. Don’t just limit your inspection to signs of water from exposed pipes, but look at your water meter before bed to check what water has been used overnight. This can be an excellent way to determine if you have a slow leak somewhere in your plumbing system. Finally, you may want to consider installing a flood alarm. This type of battery operated device acts like a smoke alarm, making an audible sound if it comes into contact with any water, protecting you against potential flooding in the future.
Don’t Forget Exterior Plumbing
Ensure that you clean out your gutters, downspouts, and yard drains that may have become cluttered with debris from fall and winter weather conditions. Check that your vent pipes are free of bird nests or other debris. You should also ensure that your exterior faucets have free flowing water and have not been compromised by a frozen pipe.
If you have concerns that your plumbing may need some special attention during your spring clean, you should consult a professional plumber. An experienced professional has the tools, skills, and expertise to assess your plumbing system and ensure it is operating efficiently and safely.
By Giovanni Longo President Flood Brothers Plumbing
Giovanni Longo is a 3rd generation master plumber who has been practicing his craft and trade in the greater Los Angeles area for well over a decade and a half. A plumbing and hydraulics-engineering innovator, Giovanni’s particular world-class expertise focuses on dealing with challenging sewer system designs as well as resolving complex commercial and residential draining issues. As a certified Flood Mitigation expert, he is also well versed in a wide variety of water damage and remediation solution.
