Spring Plumbing Tips
Spring is a great time to check your plumbing systems for problems and to perform preventative maintenance to protect your home or business against potential plumbing malfunctions.
Action Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning and Electric, Inc. offers these spring plumbing maintenance tips:
Plumbing Fixtures
- Check all faucets for drips or leaks and repair worn or broken parts as needed to. This saves water and prevents further damage.
- Clean mineral deposits from faucets and shower heads by unscrewing them and soaking them overnight in vinegar or a lime scale remover.
- Cycle all water supply valves under sinks and toilets to prevent them from sticking.
- Check your toilets for cracks or leaks. Add several drops of food coloring to the tank. If color appears in the bowl after 30 minutes, it has a leak that should be repaired. If the toilet handle has to be held down in order to flush properly, or jiggled to stop from running, you may need to replace parts inside the tank.
Drains
- Ensure that all drains have strainers to prevent debris from clogging your drain lines.
- Pour about a gallon of water into infrequently used drains (including floor drains) to fill the trap and prevent odors from entering the house. Slow floor drains should be snaked to clear any blockages to ensure they will carry away water quickly in the event of a flood.
Sump Pump
A major contributing factor in basement flooding during the spring is sump pump failure. During spring months thawing conditions and rain create conditions where moisture can more easily penetrate into your basement. Your sump pump is your last line of defense if moisture penetrates the wall and other barriers.
Test your sump pump for proper operation. Slowly pour approximately 5 gallons of water into the basin of your sump pump until the sump pump turns on and begins to pump out the water. Do not pour in more water than the basin will hold. You should expect the sump pump to begin pumping out water when the water level reaches approximately 8 to 12 inches below the surface of the basement floor.
There are also a number of very good water sensing flood alarms and pump alert systems that monitor for high water or sump pump failure. Consider installing these are a means of averting flood damage.
Appliances
Washing Machine
Washing machine hoses should be inspected for leaks or bulges. If the hoses are older than 10 years, they should be replaced. Consider using braided stainless steel hoses rather than rubber hoses.
Water Heater
Check the temperature setting on the water heater. It should be set no higher than 120°F to prevent scalding and reduce energy use.
If you have a tank-style water heater, drain several gallons from the water heater tank to flush out sediment that can cause corrosion and reduce heating efficiency. Tankless water heaters should be flushed to remove mineral deposits. Always check with your water heater manufacturer for specific instructions regarding maintenance of your specific make and model.
Ensure there are no flammable materials stored near your water heater or furnace. These include: paint and solvents; gasoline and oil; paper products; boxes of books, papers, or clothing; etc…
Action Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning and Electric, Inc. can help with all your home or business plumbing needs.
From fixing leaking faucets to installing new water heaters, call to get some Action Now! Sun Prairie, WI: 608-837-3638
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