Step Into Spring With a Clean Home
Spring has arrived and it’s time to get cleaning. Between dusting, decluttering, and more, you are able to freshen up your home and eliminate any contaminants that may have entered throughout the winter season. Another important part of spring cleaning is attending to your plumbing, heating, and air conditioning systems, making sure they are functioning properly and in good condition. Learn some helpful tips with help from the experts at Stephens.
Check for Leaks
Start the new season off right by checking for leaks in your pipes, water supply lines, and hose bibbs. You can also detect leaks by looking at your water meter, seeing if your water bill and usage has increased, as well as checking under your sinks to see if any mold is present. If you notice that there is in fact damage, it is important to contact your local plumber to get everything running efficiently and in a timely manner, preventing further issues that could occur as a result.
Clean Your Drains
Sometimes we accidentally put items we shouldn’t down our drains, which can cause them to clog and smell. It is important to remember to never put egg shells, coffee grounds, grease, oil, pasta, flour, rice, and vegetable and fruit peelings down the drain. To remove a clog, you can create a DIY drain cleaner, consisting of ½ cup of baking soda and ½ cup of vinegar. After pouring these down the drain, cover the drain and let the mixture sit for a couple of hours before running the water. To remove any foul odors, you can boil white vinegar and pour it down the drain followed by cold water. It is also a good idea to clean the drain vent and p-trap. If you find that these methods do not work, there may be a more serious problem that requires assistance from a plumber.
Flush Sediment From Your Water Heater
Removing sediment from your water heater can help it function more efficiently, making it easier for the heater to heat the water for your various appliances. In order to flush away the sediment, you first need to turn off your water heater. Next, you need to turn off the cold water valve. After letting the water cool, you can drain it by attaching a hose. To drain the tank, you need to turn on the drain valve. Once all of the water has been drained and the sediment has been removed, you can fill your water tank up again after removing the hose, turning off the drain valve, turning the cold water valve back on, and lastly, turning back on the heater itself.
Replace or Clean Your Air Ducts
Over time, your air quality can become poor due to the presence of different allergens and contaminants in your home. Not only can dirty air ducts affect your health, but they can cause your energy bill to increase. For proper cleaning, we recommend contacting one of our technicians as they have the experience necessary to perform this task.
Contact Stephens
Now you’re ready to begin the cleaning process! We hope you find our tips helpful and if you need any assistance along the way, don’t hesitate to reach out. We are always more than willing to be of service!