Since we’re spending far too much time indoors from the virus outbreak this spring, let’s be productive and double down on our spring cleaning efforts. You might have cleaned your closet, power washed your deck, and disinfected every surface in your home more times than you can count by now, but did you take the time to check in with your plumbing system? If not, follow these simple tips to help ensure your plumbing system is in working order.
Flush Your Water Heater
The first thing you should tackle on your spring cleaning checklist is your water heater. As an essential piece of your plumbing system, your water heater needs to be serviced annually to remove any hard water scale. Unless you have a water softener that removes any impurities in your water supply, your water heater is probably chock full of minerals at the moment. With enough time, the minerals can build up and cause some serious damage to your water heater. Flushing your water heater is the best way to ensure the tank is clean and free of future damages. If you’re not familiar with or comfortable performing this procedure yourself, just call a Squeaks technician for a water heater service.
Inspect Your Sump Pump
Spring showers are quite common around Denver, CO; enough to cause floods that could damage your home. The best way to help protect your property against a deluge is to ensure your sump pump is in prime condition. Inspect your sump pump for external damages, clean the basin and grate, and test it by filling the basin with water to make sure it drains correctly. If you notice any defects, make sure you contact a plumber for repairs as soon as possible. You don’t want the next downpour to catch you with a broken sump pump!
Check Your Home for Leaks
Find and fix all your hidden plumbing leaks before they become a serious problem! Here are the 4 most common places to check for plumbing leaks:
Under the Sink
Some nasty leaks can hide right under our noses (literally) and go unrepaired because so many of us forget to check under the sink. If you don’t see any water piling up under the sink, check for mold, a typical indicator of water damage.
Around the Toilet
If your toilet has a serious leak, it will become noticeable very quickly when it pools around the base. However, small leaks can hide a little better. Check behind your toilet for any signs of condensation. Also, perform a dye test to make sure the tank isn’t leaking.
Water Heater
You probably don’t spend too much time hanging out with your water heater, so if it was leaking, you’d never know it. But besides causing a ton of water damage, these leaks signify that you need a water heater repair! Call a plumber immediately if that’s the case!
Washing Machine
The tubes that connect your washing machine → to the plumbing system transport between 15 to 30 gallons of water for each cycle. Check behind your washing machine periodically to make sure these connections aren’t leaking and causing some serious water damage.
Clean Your Gutters and Downspouts
This isn’t just an autumn chore. Since spring tends to bring a lot of showers, you’ll want to make sure your gutters and downspouts can handle the rain and direct all of the water away from your home. Any debris that sits in the channel can cause a blockage, which may result in water damages for your roof. So, take 15 minutes out of your day to clean your gutters and downspouts, and you’ll be in good shape for the spring showers.
As always, if you need any help taking care of your plumbing system, whether for maintenance or repairs, don’t hesitate to call your favorite Denver plumbing company, Squeaks Family Safety & Home Protection. We would be more than happy to diagnose, repair, or replace any plumbing pipes or fixtures. Call us today if you’re looking for exceptional plumbing services with affordable pricing in the Denver area.
