The weather is slowly but surely warming up here in good ol’ Wisconsin. If you’re anything like us, you’ve been busy tackling the various spring cleaning tasks and to-do items around your house. While you’re busy cleaning out closets, organizing the garage, and scrubbing like there’s no tomorrow, don’t forget to give your plumbing a little TLC too. Here are some of our top spring plumbing tips and tasks to add to your spring cleaning list.
Check faucets for leaks.
Leaks aren’t always that consistent dripping that people think of. They can be sneaky and often go unnoticed — which can cost you a lot of money. Do a thorough check to make sure nothing is leaking around your faucets. You’ll want to check:
- The faucet itself
- Around the base of the faucet
- Under the sink/vanity and around the floor
Look carefully for moisture and water. Rust, corrosion, discoloration, mold/mildew, which can all be signs of slow or less-visible leaks.
Check supply hoses to appliances.
Much like checking for leaks, you’ll want to take a few minutes to inspect the supply hoses that connect to your washing machine, dishwasher, and other water-using appliances. These are things many homeowners ignore until something happens and the machine and your floors are damaged, so it’s good to be ahead of the game. Again, check for those warning signs like moisture, discoloration, and corrosion.
Clean out the drains.
Hair, soaps, and other debris can start to collect and clog up sink and shower drains, causing them to back up or run slowly. Give them a thorough cleaning and remove all the gunk and debris. You may want to add a strainer or use some clog remover.
Clean the faucet and shower heads.
Your faucets and shower heads can start to get some residue and sediment buildup over time. Be sure to give them a thorough cleaning to keep them flowing freely. Try soaking them in some baking soda and vinegar. It’s a great natural cleaner and minimizes chemical usage.
Inspect your toilet.
Give the toilet tank and bowl a good once over and look for cracks and leaks. To test the toilet for leaks, put some food coloring into the toilet tank. Then check if the water in the bowl turns the color of the dye (this can take up to 30 minutes). If so, you may have a leak.
Clean gutters and downspouts.
Between the spring rains and all that snow we’ve accumulated over the long winter finally melting, it gets pretty wet around the Fox Cities in the spring. To help prevent water damage and keep your basement from flooding, be sure to clean out your gutters and make sure there’s no debris blocking the downspouts. Also, make sure any and all water is flowing away from your home. While you’re checking on those, it’s a good time to give the exterior of your home a once over for any cracks or leaks that could allow water to get inside.
Check your sump pump.
We get lots of questions about sump pumps, especially during the wet spring. You can check that your sump pump is working by pouring some water into the sump pit. The pump should remove the excess water then turn off without issue. Listen for strange noises, like clanging or thuds, that may be a sign that you need a replacement.
Contact Watters Plumbing
These are just a few of the easy maintenance tasks that can help you be proactive with your plumbing maintenance this spring. Don’t forget to get out and enjoy some of this warmer spring weather while you’re at it too! If you have questions about your plumbing or something doesn’t seem right, give us a call. We’ve got experienced plumbers on hand to answer your questions and help you out 24/7.
Request an estimate or give us a call.
