With daylight savings a little over a week away, you’ll soon want to spend as much time as possible outdoors if we’re lucky enough to get nice weather. It’s a good idea to get spring maintenance tasks out of the way early so you can enjoy those extra outdoor hours. Follow these 5 basic plumbing tips to keep your plumbing system running smoothly all spring.
1. Clear Gutters, Drains and Downspouts
You wouldn’t believe how much stuff can accumulate in your gutter system during winter. Dried leaves, sticks, and more can build up and clog your drain system quickly so take some time to clear them out so rainwater can run freely down the drains.
2. Do a Faucet Check
Over winter, it’s possible that a frozen plumbing pipe may have cracked. Turn on outdoor faucets and if there’s only a drip coming from the faucet rather than a steady flow, you’ll need to call Putman Plumbing to inspect for a broken pipe.
3. See if Toilets are Leaking
There’s nothing worse than a high water bill when you’re trying to save money for fun spring outings. If your water bill seems high, it could be a leaky toilet. Place a few drops of food dye in your water tank, then wait and see if it appears in the toilet bowl. If you see it within 30 minutes, you may have a broken seal or another broken part that a plumber will need to fix.
4. Have the Water Heater Drained and Temperature Checked
Sediment that accumulates in your water heater can cause corrosion. Not only can this reduce the efficiency of your water heater but it also shortens its lifetime. It’s a good idea to drain a few gallons of water from the water heater to remove some of that sediment. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, Putman Plumbing will be happy to help. You should also set your water heater at 120 degrees F — which is not so hot that it’s scalding but warm enough for showers, washing hands, dishes and laundry. You’ll also save on your energy bill.
5. Exercise Water Supply Valves
On your toilets and at each sink, There are water supply valves used to control the water flow on your toilets and at each sink. These are handy when you need to perform a repair, since you can cut off water to a particular sink or toilet without turning off water in the whole house. These valves can get stiff when not in use, so turn them a few turns toward the “off” position and then back to loosen them.
If You Need Plumbing Help This Spring, Just Call!
Following these steps should put your plumbing system in good working condition this spring, but if you find yourself with a high water bill or you notice a leak, call Putman Plumbing. We’ll be happy to help.
