Spring Plumbing Checklist

The sun is shining. The trees are blossoming. You’re suddenly hit with the urge to reorganize and spruce up your home. So while you’re already in the mode of spring cleaning and home improvement, take some extra time to make sure your plumbing is in working order. Follow this spring plumbing checklist to keep your plumbing in tiptop shape.

Inspect Bathroom Plumbing

Let’s start with your bathroom plumbing. If you have more than one bathroom, obviously repeat this for each one:

Look for toilet leaks: Listen for water sounds, test the flush, and look at the tank water level.
Clean drains: Clear away trapped hair and debris with a drain snake. Avoid using harsh chemicals.
Demineralize showerhead and toilet jet holes: Soak in white vinegar and then scrub away mineral deposits.
Open and close water supply valves: doing this routinely will prevent them from becoming stuck.
Check faucets: Make sure there are no drips or leaks.

Check Kitchen Plumbing

You’ll need to inspect a variety of appliances and plumbing systems in your kitchen:

Clean garbage disposal: Toss in ice cubes, salt, and lemon slices. Run the water and turn on the garbage disposal to clear away gunk and food.
Check sink trap: if you smell gas coming up from the drain or your drain empties slowly, you need to clean out that curved pipe underneath your sink.
Test sink faucet: Looks for drips or unwanted spraying around the nozzle.
Inspect appliance hoses: Your dishwasher, fridge water filter, and ice maker all have water supply lines that wear out over time. If they are bulging, kinked, or weak, you should replace them.
Clean dishwasher: Check the drain basket for debris. Then run an empty cycle with a dishwasher detergent to clean the inside.

Examine Laundry Room Plumbing

An often forgotten space in your home, the laundry room could be a plumbing disaster in waiting. Perform the following to keep it in running order.

Open and close water supply valves: As mentioned before, this will prevent them from becoming stuck. Do this for both cold and hot water valves.
Make sure hoses are in good shape: Water lines typically wear out after 10 years. Replace if needed.
Clean your washing machine: Follow manufacturer instructions for cleaning your machine. Doing so routinely will keep it working properly and prevent gunk from building up in the lines.
Inspect utility sink: If you have a laundry room sink, check the faucet, drain, and traps just as you would with any other sink.

Investigate Outdoor Plumbing

With warmer weather comes outdoor living. While you’re soaking up those rays, examine your outdoor plumbing and drainage systems.

Clean patio drains: To avoid water from pooling up on your patio, clear the drains of sediment, leaves, and dirt.
Check outdoor faucets: Hose bibs and outdoor sinks should also be inspected for slow leaks.
Test irrigation system: Turn on your sprinklers to make sure all the heads are spraying properly. Invisible leaks are also possible so it’s best to have a professional perform a yearly inspection.
Clear gutters and downspouts: Remove leaves and debris. Clogged gutters will result in water damage in and around your house.

Maintain Water Heater

Another often overlooked plumbing system is your water heater. Water heaters only last 8-12 years so it’s best to stay on top of maintenance to avoid an emergency.

Adjust the temperature: Set it to a temperature that is comfortable for your budget and suitable for your hot water use.
Look for rusting or leaks: This will indicate that a repair or replacement is needed.
Check the date: If your water heater is pushing 10 years, upgrade to a newer, more efficient one to prevent a future disaster (and save you a little on your utility bill).

Test Sump Pump

If you have a basement or lower level, you probably have a sump pump to prevent flooding. You can test the functionality of your sump pump by pouring a bucket of water into it. If it immediately turns on and empties, it’s working just fine. However, if this doesn’t happen, it’s time to give your plumber a call.

Stephens Plumbing Can Take Care of Your Spring Plumbing Checklist

The easiest way to test out your home plumbing systems is to give Stephens Plumbing a call. Our well-trained and experienced plumbers will perform a thorough inspection and fix any problems that turn up. We offer an array of both indoor and outdoor plumbing services to keep your home plumbing the way it was intended. You can rest easy with the experts at Stephens Plumbing.