Basic knowledge of plumbing is vital for any homeowner. One key area where you must pay attention is seasonal plumbing and sanitation needs. If you prepare yourself for the next season in advance, it can save you from lots of pain and cost. In the following, we are highlighting some main tasks and precautionary tips for summer and spring seasons.

Spring

 

Bathrooms & Kitchen:

Pay attention to faucets for any leaks. If found, make necessary repairs to save water.

Ensure that all drains have strainers to prevent hair, soap and debris from clogging the drain lines.

Check toilets for hidden leaks.

Inspect tank and bowl for cracks or leaks.

Inspect if the toilets flush properly or not. If the handle must be held down for a thorough flush to stop the water from running, you may need to change the tank.  

Home Appliances:

Check the temperature setting on the water heater. Make sure it’s set around 120°F and uses energy efficiently. 

Carefully drain several gallons from the water heater tank to flush out any minerals leading to sediment.

Make sure to check your appliance manufacturer’s guidelines on their website or user manual while performing maintenance.

Make sure flammables are not stored near the water heater or furnace.

Check your dishwasher and washing machines for bulges or leaks. Replace hoses that are either weak or older than 10 years. 

General Tips:

Make a habit of pouring a gallon of water into infrequently used drains to fill the trap and prevent odors.

If your floor drains are slow, get them snaked to ensure they will carry away water quickly in case of floods or heavy showers.

Inspect your drains and do the needed prior to the seasonal changes and shower. 

Check exposed pipes under sinks and in the basement for signs of leaks.

Install flood alarms; it will alert you to potential flooding or leaks.

Summer

Bathrooms & Kitchen:

Make sure that base of the toilet has no signs of water damage signs; usually white stains. 

Check how fast the toilet flushes. If you find it slow, let your plumber do the needful to avoid any issue later.

Inspect the walls that are in contact with bathtub. Make sure they aren’t leaking and the tiles aren’t soft. Softer tiles mean that water has damaged them. 

Place a dustbin in the bathroom and never flush hard stuff like cotton swabs, balls, hair, or sanitary products in the toilet. They’ll not easily dissolved and may lead to clogs. 

Inspect the dishwasher and kitchen drains for leakage or slow flow.

Water Supply and Heating:

To inspect the water supply, turn on water in bathtub and kitchen sink. If you notice some reduction in the water level, you may need to replace the piping because of mineral deposits that restrict water flow.

Check with the previous owner and learn about the last repairs or maintenance stuff. It’ll help you learn about areas of improvement and leakage zones in the house. 

Make sure that main supply line is accessible and free from any blockage or leakage. In case you notice slower or contaminated supply, consult Superior Plumbing to help you address it.

Check the water heater for signs of rust or damage. There is a possibility that after working all the winter season it might need some repair and maintenance. So it’s strongly advised to flush it; drain the tank to remove any mineral deposits etc. 

If you don’t have already, install an energy-efficient water heater. It will save you money and due to warrantee period, you’ll save the maintenance cost as well.

General Tips:

Check your home’s garbage management system. Make sure that dishwasher’s connections are tight and leak free. 

Inspect the cabinets and see that supply tubes are leakage-free.

Inspect your home appliances, particularly the washing machine hoses for rift. Turning on/off the valves will let you know the status.

Turn on your pipe stopcocks and check for leaks on the valves that could waste water. 

Check out outdoor pipes. If your pipes are cracked from winter water, they can lead to some damage to lawn or house. Give due vigilance to the hoses and unusually green or mossy areas near pipes. If you notice some mammoth growth, it’s a sign of water leakage. 

If you notice anything that demands repair or looks suspicious you don’t know what to do about, contact Superior Plumbing for professional inspection. They provide the best and cost-effective remedies for your home plumbing needs.  

As you can see, there is a lot to do, and if you're like most people, you need to leave it to a professional plumber.  

TrustDALE.com has done the research, and trusts Superior Plumbing for all your plumbing needs, including maintenance and emergencies.

 

Find more information, visit the Superior Plumbing business page at https://www.trustdale.com/business/superior-plumbing.

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