Get your spring checklist ready and cross off that plumbing task you’ve been dreading. What was once a long winter with frozen and worn out pipes can now be a great time to prepare for essential maintenance on your plumbing system. For example, things like a leaky outdoor hose are indicators; it is time to fix it before it gets worse.
Fix Any Leaky Pipes
Plan your spring to-do list without any of the mess or by throwing your money out the window. Although leaky pipes are a typical household outburst, they end up accumulating with higher prices, as seen on your water bill over time because of the constant spill. Leaky pipes include bathroom faucets, showers, hoses in your garden/backyard and even sprinklers. Hoses are known to accumulate areas of dry rot over time if not cared for, which will have to be replaced. You will also want to check to see if the water-shutoff valve from the pump has any leaks as well. If it does, make sure to replace it.
Repair Clogged Drains
The long winter days leave many people stuck inside–not to mention food stuck in other places as well. Sinks and garbage disposals can get clogged up with gunk causing low water pressure. Your dishwasher drain catcher should also be thoroughly cleaned out. Even though there are natural ways to unclog a drain, sometimes large amounts of it will require a professional to do it.
Test The Sump Pump
During the winter months, the sump pump will most likely be frozen and start melting in the springtime. This is a great time to test out the sump pump since the groundwater will rise. Be sure to test out the sump pump by adding water to the pit as it drains from the outside of your home.
Check Water Heater Temperature
Now that winter is gone, you may have forgotten to adjust your water heater temperature setting. It is ideal to set it around 120 degrees Farenhieght, but some people prefer those steamy hot showers during freezing temperatures. By keeping the temperature at the recommended setting, it helps limit scorching heats and the potential for burning of the skin. Plus, it saves energy in springtime!.
Drain Water Heater
Sediment accumulates in water heaters, so cleaning it out around springtime is recommended. Removing sediment will help extend the heater’s lifespan and can quickly be done with the help of a plumber.
Inspect for Cold-Weather Damage
Even on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, where winters are mild compared to most of the country, the occasional cold snap can leave its mark. Spring is the right time to look for damage that may not have shown up yet:
- Walk the perimeter of the house and check every outdoor spigot. Turn each one on and look for drips around the wall, which can mean a cracked line behind the siding
- Look at any exposed pipes in unconditioned spaces (attic, crawlspace, garage) for moisture, rust or mineral staining
- Check the irrigation system if you have one. A backflow preventer that froze during winter often won’t show problems until you turn it on for the season
- Test pool plumbing if you have a pool. Lines that froze can fail under pressure once you start running the pump again
- Check any pipes near exterior walls in older homes, especially under sinks on outside walls
The damage from a freeze sometimes shows up days or weeks later when the line refreezes or the cracked pipe expands enough to leak. Catching it during an intentional spring inspection beats finding it during a sudden indoor flood.
Get Outdoor Drains and Gutters Ready for Spring Storms
Spring brings rain, and the Gulf Coast gets its share of heavy storms. Outdoor drainage that’s been ignored over the winter can flood the yard and put pressure on the foundation. Useful checks:
- Clean out gutters and downspouts of leaves, twigs and any debris that built up over the cooler months
- Confirm downspouts direct water away from the foundation, not toward it
- Look at any yard drains, channel drains or French drains and clear them of grass clippings or sediment
- Check the slope of the soil immediately around the foundation. Settling over winter can leave low spots that pool water against the wall
- Verify that any sump pump or below-grade drain has working power and a clear discharge line
Spring storms are easier to handle when the drainage is doing its job. The cleanup from a flooded yard, basement or crawlspace is much harder than the prevention.
Service the Big Appliances
Spring is a natural moment to give the major water-using appliances a once-over:
- Washing machine. Pull it out from the wall and look at the supply lines. If they’re rubber and over five years old, swap them for braided stainless. Check for any moisture behind the unit
- Dishwasher. Clean the filter at the bottom of the tub. Run a cup of white vinegar through an empty cycle to clear any built-up residue
- Refrigerator. Check the icemaker line at both ends. Replace any old plastic line with newer braided line if it’s still the original
- Garbage disposal. Run cold water and a few citrus peels through the unit. Listen for any new noises or vibrations
- Toilets. Drop food coloring into each tank and wait 15 minutes. If color appears in the bowl, replace the flapper
None of these takes much time individually. Running through them once a year prevents most of the appliance-related plumbing failures that catch families by surprise during the busy summer months.
Plan for Hurricane Season Now
Atlantic hurricane season starts June 1, which means spring maintenance is also pre-storm prep. Things worth doing in March or April rather than waiting:
- Confirm everyone in the household knows where the main water shutoff is, and that it actually works
- Identify the gas shutoff and the breaker for the well pump or sump pump if you have one
- Take photos of the inside and outside of the home as a baseline for any potential insurance claim
- If you live in a low-lying area, talk with a plumber about backflow preventers on your sewer line to keep storm surge from forcing water back into the home
- Move anything stored on the floor in laundry rooms, mechanical rooms and garages up off the floor
Homeowners across Gulfport, Biloxi, Long Beach, Pass Christian, Ocean Springs and Bay St. Louis know that storm season comes every year, and the homes that come through best are the ones that prepared in spring rather than the week before a storm. Plumbing prep is one of the easier parts of that bigger checklist, and it pays off in less stress when the forecast turns serious.
If your plumbing needs to be repaired, contact ASAP Plumbing today at 228-865-2727 or visit www.plumbinggulfportms.com and request a free estimate! We can handle all of your plumbing needs including installation, repair, and full water heater replacement.