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Plumbing Tasks To Add to Your To-do List This Spring

Mark J. Biel • Mar 22, 2023

Unexpected plumbing problems can dampen your springtime plans, so it’s good to check all of the pipes and other related fixtures to make sure that everything is running smoothly. A professional plumber and  air duct cleaning  contractor can help out with any unexpected repairs or spills and even provide advice on how best to take care of your home in the warmest months ahead.

Reasons to Perform Plumbing Tasks This Spring

Using spring as an excuse to do your plumbing maintenance is a great idea for several reasons. 

  • Schedule Preventative Maintenance.  Preventative maintenance allows you to identify any problems, such as a small leak or a clogged drain, before they become too large and difficult to resolve. 
  • Avoid Costly Repairs.  Undertaking plumbing and  HVAC repair  tasks once in the spring will allow you to avoid costly repairs later on when emergency services could be needed. Not having to face water damage because of undetected leaks is always good!
  • Improve Efficiency.  Doing maintenance like checking filters or testing installations can also increase plumbing system efficiency while also saving significantly on water bills.
  • Take Advantage of the Weather.  You don’t have to worry about the surroundings being too cold or too hot when you do maintenance during spring.

Spring Plumbing Tasks To-Do List

Here’s a short list of plumbing tasks that are worth doing in spring:

Inspect Sprinkler Systems

As you inspect the sprinklers in your yard, take note of issues such as broken head nozzles or valves. Spring is also a good time to check timers. If you haven’t used them in a while, resetting them to your local climate could save you a lot of money on water bills, especially on the hot summer days ahead.

Inspect the Sump Pump

A sump pump is another vital part of your home’s plumbing. Carefully check the chambers and clean out any grit or gunk that might have built up. You can also test your sump pump by filling up its chambers with water and monitoring its capacity to drain them afterward. It’s wise to monitor the overall moisture level around pumps. If it’s too high, you should take steps to prevent any kind of flooding.

Clean the Garbage Disposal

Garbage disposals are essential for keeping kitchens tidy and clean. To make sure your system is running smoothly, it’s good practice to make some ice cube runs twice per month. Not only do they ensure that the blades don’t rust due to lack of use, but the ice cubes also remove any food particles that may be stuck around their inner parts. You can also clean the blades with an all-purpose cleaner. If these fail, get a cleaner specifically developed for waste management systems.

Inspect the Water Heater

It’s best to check your water heater this spring for any possible issues. Key components to inspect include the pressure relief valve, the anode rod, and the temperature valve. Inspect the hose’s inlet and outlet seals. Make sure they are fitting snugly and that everything is connected correctly. Otherwise, you could end up wasting too much energy trying to heat your house or going without hot water altogether.

Check the Toilets

It’s prudent to check up on all sealants near the toilet. Many times, leaks can occur if wax rings or seals become worn down too much and water begins to seep out of them. You can avoid this by checking their condition and replacing them as soon as you come into contact with one that looks like it needs some extra attention.

Common Plumbing Problems in Spring

While preventative maintenance is crucial in ensuring your plumbing systems run smoothly throughout the spring and beyond, some problems may still arise unexpectedly. Below are some common plumbing problems that homeowners may encounter during the spring season:

Clogged Drains

Spring is a time for cleaning, and many homeowners use this opportunity to do some deep cleaning around the house. However, this can lead to an increased amount of debris being washed down the drains, which can cause clogs. Hair, soap, and other products can accumulate in the pipes, leading to slow draining or even backups. To prevent this, consider using a drain strainer to catch debris and avoid flushing anything other than toilet paper down the toilet.

Burst Pipes

As temperatures start to warm up, frozen pipes may thaw and cause leaks or bursts. This can cause significant damage to your home and require emergency repairs. To prevent this, make sure your pipes are properly insulated and keep your home at a consistent temperature throughout the day and night.

Leaking Faucets

During the winter months, outdoor faucets can freeze and cause damage to the faucet and pipes. This can lead to leaks in the spring as the weather warms up. It’s essential to check all faucets, both indoors and outdoors, for any leaks and make sure they are properly shut off when not in use.

Running Toilets

A running toilet can waste a significant amount of water and increase your utility bill. This can be caused by a faulty flapper valve or a problem with the fill valve. A faulty flapper valve or a fill valve issue could be the cause of this. It’s essential to address this issue promptly to avoid any water waste.

Tips for Completing Plumbing Tasks

To make sure that any plumbing task you have in mind goes smoothly, it’s best to gather all the necessary supplies beforehand and then turn off your water supply while working. This way, if something goes wrong or something breaks, there won’t be too much damage done. Don’t forget to wear protective gear like gloves and eyewear when handling potentially dangerous equipment. Most importantly, follow manufacturer instructions when handling plumbing systems.

Should You Do It Yourself?

Sometimes, the best way to deal with plumbing issues is to let a professional do it. With their skills and expertise, you can rest assured that a leak or malfunctioning component of your plumbing fixtures is fixed correctly.

Here’s why you should leave the plumbing tasks to professionals:

  • Professional plumbers, like  HVAC maintenance  technicians, are well-versed in all sorts of diagnoses and are able to prevent costly mistakes.
  • Professional technicians have the qualifications you need for expert work in both installations as well as repairs and can perform tasks quickly and efficiently.
  • They will also be able to ensure that any repair or installation is done according to local building codes and industry best practices. 
  • They understand all the potential dangers involved when dealing with vital components like water and gas pipelines which can become dangerous if left unchecked or fixed incorrectly.

For your residential plumbing needs, get in touch with R.A. Biel Plumbing & Heating Inc. in Farmington, NM. Our technicians can provide a timely solution to all your plumbing needs. We will take care of any plumbing problem with as little disruption to your schedule as possible. We’ll get the work done quickly, without sacrificing the quality of our work. Call us at  (505) 327-7755  today or fill out our  contact form  to learn more about our services!

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