Spring Plumbing Tips

Any change of seasons can take a toll on your plumbing, but the transition from very cold weather to warm weather necessitates some additional precautions to be taken, especially if you live in an area in which spring has cold nights but warm days. These temperature fluctuations, as well as other changes to your daily schedule, can cause problems in your plumbing system. However, we have a number of great tips to keep your plumbing system in tip-top shape this spring!

1.     Check for leaks and maintenance in the bathroom. Add a few drops of food coloring into the tank of your toilet. This will allow you to see if you have a leak in between your toilet tank and bowl. After a half hour, if there is a leak, you will see the food coloring in the bowl. Make sure your showers are not leaking and that all mechanical parts of your plumbing system are working correctly. Clean all of the fixtures with vinegar to fight buildup of harmful residues.

2.     Flush and maintain the water heater. If you live in a cold climate, you have been probably been using your water heater all winter. Now, as the weather warms up, it will be less necessary. To prepare it for dormancy, turn down the overall temperature, and then drain the entire heater to remove any sediment lingering there. If you have had a water heater for more than fifteen years, consider replacing it.

3.     Snake the drains. Snaking every drain in the house will give your plumbing a fresh start, even if you have not noticed any blockages. Hair and soap reside are always collecting along the walls of the pipes, and preventing any major blockages by snaking your drains in the spring time will be much better than having to deal with a clog later on.

4.     Clean out outdoor plumbing. Take a look at your rain gutters and spouts. Are they clear of leaves or other debris? Do all of your faucets work properly? Are any of them leaking? A leakage from an outdoor faucet could indicate a pipe that has cracked and needs replacement.

For more spring plumbing tips or to learn about our service, contact Absolute Precision Plumbing today!