4 THINGS YOU SHOULD DO TO PREPARE YOUR PLUMBING FOR SPRING

prepare plumbing for spring

Spring is drawing near, and there are a few things our expert plumbers think you should never ignore if you want your plumbing system to work smoothly all summer long. Winter can leave a mess behind, and in a service area like ours—where winter damage and old pipes can be a dangerous combination—homeowners need to take action.

If you need help getting your home plumbing system into shape for the spring and summer, contact our plumbers. We can help clean the gutters, inspect the pipes, maintain or replace a sump pump, or do whatever you need to keep water and waste moving along smoothly!

#1: CHECK YOUR SUMP PUMP!

If you have a sump pump in your basement or crawlspace, it’s vital that you check and test it in the spring, and about every 3 months afterwards. That way, you can feel confident that it will work when you need it. Unfortunately, many people don’t find out their sump pump is broken until after the basement has already flooded.

You can complete a fairly in-depth inspection of your sump pump without much experience.

  • Check the drain that leads outside, looking for and removing debris that may block water from releasing from the outlet.
  • Look for any signs that the pump has tilted or that the float valve has moved out of place.
  • Examine the electrical wires and battery for any signs of damage.

Then, you can run a test, which is easily achieved by pouring water into the pit. Simply fill the sump pit until the float rises, and make sure the system operates properly.

#2: CLEAN YOUR ROOF AND GUTTERS

The gutters and storm drains make up part of your plumbing system. These must be clean if you expect water to move easily off of your roof, preventing water damage and leaks. Clean your roof and gutters regularly, especially in the springtime. And if you don’t feel confident doing it safely on your own, call for the help of a professional plumber.

#3: CHECK THE PIPES

Exposed pipes can collect a lot of damage over the course of the winter. Water expands as it freezes, and exposed piping is at risk of expanding and contracting in winter, slowly cracking as it does. We recommend looking around for any exposed pipes on your property, checking for signs of cracking.

If you notice any problems with the pipes, call in a plumber for a complete inspection. Right now, it may be possible to replace only that section of pipe, rerouting or insulating it so that you don’t have to worry about this problem next year.

#4: TEST THE WATER PRESSURE

It’s also possible that one of your water pipes is already leaking, even if you have not noticed any water on the property. One way to tell is to test your water pressure. When you turn on a faucet in the house, and notice that water pressure seems to have dropped, it could be a sign of a leak or another problem requiring a plumber’s prompt attention.

BONUS

Call Total Mechanical Systems for exclusive spring season deals on plumbing installation, service and maintenance!

For plumbing services in Connecticut, call Total Mechanical Systems today!

Source: Evans Plumbing Inc