With spring right around the corner, many homeowners will be decluttering and starting fresh by checking off their spring cleaning to-do lists. Make sure plumbing is a priority on your list with these helpful tips from D&F Plumbing, Heating and Cooling.
Check Your Water Heater
Drain at least 2 to 3 gallons of water from your water heater to flush out sediment. Sediment can create blockages, reducing your unit’s efficiency and shortening its lifespan.
- Ensure your water heater is set to 120°F to reduce energy, help prolong your water heater’s lifespan, and help prevent scalding.
- Inspect your unit for leaks and corrosion, looking for rust or puddles
- If your water heater is older than 15 years old, you may want to consider replacing it for a newer, energy-efficient model. Generally, water heaters last around 10 years.
Check Other Appliances
- Inspect your refrigerator, washing machine, and dishwasher for water leaks or bulging hoses. Replace any hoses that are bulging, leaking or are over 10 years old. Consider installing stainless steel hoses. They are more durable as they don’t burst as easily as other types of appliance hoses.
- If your washing machine has a lint trap, clean it out to help prevent blockages.
- If your kitchen sink has a garbage disposal, you can grind ice cubes to help sharpen the blades and help clear away any waste buildup. You can also grind lemon or orange peels to provide a fresh scent.
Inspect Indoor Plumbing Fixtures
- Pour a gallon of water down infrequently used drains to fill the p-trap and help prevent any odors.
- Look underneath all of your sinks and make sure there are no signs of leaks
- Test your toilet for leaks. One quick and easy way to test your toilet for leaks is by adding food coloring into your tank. If the water in the toilet bowl turns that color within about 30 minutes, you have a leak.
Check Outdoor Faucets
- Remove your outdoor faucet caps and turn on the faucets, if you notice water leaking in your home, your pipes may have frozen and burst over winter and need to be replaced.
- Remove any debris from plumbing vent pipes.
Cleanout Gutters & Downspouts
- Inspect your gutters and downspouts and remove debris and animal nests from them. Blocked gutters can lead to standing water (which can attract pests), soil erosion, and flooding. Blocked gutters can also affect the integrity of your roofing.
- Make sure your yard drains are also clean and free of debris.
If you don’t feel comfortable performing any of these or you’ve discovered you need to repair or replace a plumbing fixture, contact us. We’re your local source for all of your plumbing needs. We’ll diagnose the problem and offer you solutions that work with your needs and your budget.
