We all know that it’s important to prepare for New England winters, but what about spring? As a homeowner, you should always make sure that your plumbing is ready for the changing seasons if you want to avoid expensive repairs and surprise breakdowns. Luckily, there are only 5 simple things you need to know about prepping your plumbing for spring.
How to Prepare Your Plumbing for Spring
Prep for Spring Showers
In Massachusetts, May flowers definitely bring April showers. And if it rains too much, your plumbing system and foundation can suffer. Do as soon as the snow starts to melt, go outside and make sure that all of your downspouts are directed away from your foundation and towards the street. It’s also a good idea to clear any debris or blockage from storm drains so as to prevent a flood.
Check Faucet Pressure
Run all the faucets inside and outside of your home to check for low water pressure. Test both the hot and cold water, and run the for a few minutes. If the faucets haven’t been used in a while, the pressure may be strange at first because of air bubbles, but it should even out in a few minutes. If the water pressure is still low after running the faucet for a few minutes, you may have a blockage of some sort. Call your HVAC pro to check it out, because this has the potential to cause a lot of damage to your home.
Inspect Your Pipes
If you have exposed pipes, closely inspect them for any cracks or slow drips. If you find them, call a plumber right away! While you’re inspecting, also look for damp spots, discoloration, and mold growth, as these can be signs of leaks that you can’t see.
Check outdoor garden faucets by turning them on and making sure the winter weather hasn’t damaged them.
Look for Toilet Leaks
Did you know that all you need to check your toilet for leaks is food coloring? Grab some coloring and put a few drops in your toilet tank. If there is any colored water in the bowl a few minutes later, you know you have a leak. If your bowl’s water is clear, then you’re all set! Call a plumber if not.
Flush your Water Heater
At the end of the winter, it’s important to flush out your water heater. This clears out any buildup of sediment that would prevent it from running efficiently. It’s recommended that you do this once a year.
Need a Pro?
We hope your spring plumbing preparations went off without a hitch, but if they didn’t, Evolved Mechanical is here for you. Just give us a call or email and we’ll have one of our experienced pros come to take a look at your plumbing system. Call today before these little problems get worse!