Spring Plumbing Maintenance Tips

Spring is a good time to check your home’s plumbing system and perform a few simple maintenance tasks to ensure system continue to work smoothly. Here are some items to check.

Sewer & Drains

1. If you have slow or drains that regularly back up. Have your plumber clean out the drain before there is a backup.
2. Ensure that sink drains have strainers to prevent debris from building up inside the drain.
3. If there are drains that are unused for long periods of time, such as floor drains, pour a bucket of water to keep the trap filled. This will prevent sewer gases and odors from entering the home.
4. If your home is more than ten years old, have a video camera sewer line inspection to check for tree root intrusion or other damage.

Sump Pump

Test your sump pump to ensure it is working. Pour several gallons of water into the sump pump pit. Pour slowly until the sump pump turns on and removed the water. Do not pour in more water than the basin can hold. The sump pump should begin pumping out water when the water level reaches about 8 to 12 inches from the bottom of the pit. If it doesn’t, contact your plumber to repair or replace the pump.

Washing Machines

Check hoses for signs of wear or damage. If the hoses are older than 10 years, consider using braided stainless steel hoses rather than rubber hoses. If the washing machine is on an upper level of the home, a drain pan should be used to prevent water damage in the event of a leak.

Toilets

1. Check the base of the toilet for water leaks. If there are stains or standing water it could need a new wax ring seal.
2. Add several drops of food coloring to the tank. If color appears in the bowl after 30 minutes, it has a leak that should be repaired.
3. If the toilet handle has to be held down in order to flush properly, or jiggled to stop from running, you may need to replace the tank parts.

Tank Water Heaters

1. Check the temperature setting on the water heater. It should be set no higher than 120°F to prevent scalding and reduce energy waste.
2. Drain several gallons from the water heater tank to flush out sediment that can cause corrosion and reduce heating efficiency.
3. Inspect the anode tube for excessive corrosion. Replace the tube if needed.

Tankless Water Heaters

1. Tankless water heaters should be flushed to remove mineral deposits.
2. Clean or replace the line filter.
3. If it is making excessive nose, have your plumber inspect the unit.

Always check with your water heater manufacturer for specific instructions regarding maintenance of your specific make and model.

Have questions about maintaining your home’s plumbing system? Call ABC Southwest Plumbing & Air Conditioning. We’re here to help.