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Spring has sprung and the weather is slowly starting warm up with each passing day (finally).
While most people have already started their spring cleaning (or at least we hope), there’s one thing people always seem to forget to do — inspect their plumbing.
A lot of plumbing problems can develop over a long, harsh winter like the one we had, so be sure to bump this inspection to the top of your to-do list.
Getting Your Plumbing Ready For Spring
Failing to inspect these things could lead to overall problems with the plumbing that could be very costly.
Leaking Water Pipes
Uninsulated pipes have the potential to freeze during the winter — and a frozen pipe can turn to a burst pipe in no time at all. While you might think a burst pipe would be noticeable (because some will involve water gushing into your home), others can be extremely small.
These pipe leaks can oftentimes be overlooked due to their size, and location if the pipe is hidden behind your home’s walls. Inspect all visible plumbing, keep an eye out for water stains, and double check your recent water bills to see if there’s been an increase in usage recently.
Cracked Outdoor Faucets
Outdoor faucets are something many homeowners overlook until it’s time to wash their car or water their garden. Waiting this long could leave you with a not so nice surprise — being without access to water for these outdoor activities.
Of all the plumbing in your home, the outdoor faucets and the water pipes connected to them have the best chance of freezing and cracking, especially if they’re not winterized properly before winter arrives.
When you turn the water back on to these faucets, give this portion of your plumbing a thorough inspection for leaks. (You may want to keep your local plumber on speed dial in case water starts leaking elsewhere in the pipes).
Seized Sump Pumps
April showers bring May flowers, but these showers can also cause flooding and a lot of water damage (we know this sounds morbid, but it’s true)! Luckily, you have a sump pump installed in your basement/crawl space.
But does it work? When was the last time you had it checked? It’s been a while, right…?
Sump pumps are installed in homes as a kind of insurance against possible flooding, so it’s important to make sure it’s working when you need it to.
Having yours serviced now will prevent it from breaking down in the middle of a heavy spring rainstorm. Because the last thing you want to deal with is a portion of your home covered in water damage and mold.
When you start crossing off items on your spring cleaning list, it’s always a wise choice for homeowners to inspect their plumbing.
If you find any issues or would like a professional to inspect and service certain fixtures or pipes — don’t be afraid to pick up the phone and give us a ring!