Tips to Keep Your Plumbing Working Properly
– By #Me
As warmer weather quickly approaches, it also means that spring cleaning time is upon us. Spring is an important time to check up on your house and ensure that your plumbing system is still functional after a long winter. Here are a few tips to help keep your plumbing working properly this spring.
Check Pipes for Leaks
Look for any signs of drips or leaks on all water pipes and faucets. When checking on leaky pipes, make sure to look underneath all your sinks and check on any hoses that run into any appliances like your dishwasher or washing machine. There may be some obvious areas of leaks as displayed by areas of moisture, puddles, rust, etc., but slow leaks may not always be that identifiable. If you suspect a slow leak, you can use your water meter to check. Take a reading of your water meter at night and do not use any water that night. In the morning, check the meter again and if there was water used, then you have a leak. During your checks, if you find any leaks, contact one of the professionals at Action Mechanical to help with your emergency plumbing needs.
Test the Toilet for Leaks or Cracks
Your toilet may be hiding a leak that you are unaware of. To test for leaks in your toilet, put some food coloring in the tank of your toilet. If there is any leaking, within half an hour the water in the bowl will start turning the color of the food coloring. While checking your toilet, also make sure that it is flushing properly. If the handle has to be held down for a long time or it has to be jiggled to stop running, it might be time to replace the flushing parts of the toilet. Even a small change will help you save money on your water bill in the long run.
Take a Look at Your Water Heater
In order to extend the life of your water heater, you can drain out the sediment at the bottom. Not only does it extend the life and flush out corrosion, but it also helps the water heater run more efficiently. While draining the water heater, also make sure to check for any leaks in the heater and rust around the control panel. It is also highly recommended to keep your water heater temperature at 120 degrees Fahrenheit. This helps to prevent any scalding and saves energy. If draining your water heater sounds intimidating, give the professionals at Action Mechanical a call and we can perform a full water heater flush and check for signs of leaks and make any repairs that are needed.
Check Outside
While much of the spring checkup is done inside, you don’t want to forget the outdoor plumbing. Once the weather has warmed up and it’s safe to turn on your sprinkler systems and outdoor water hoses, make sure to check the yard for any signs of extremely wet areas, which may be from a broken pipe underground. If you have outdoor faucets or sprinklers, make sure to turn those on and check for any leakage or dripping. While outside, also check any drains, gutters, and rainspouts and clear out any debris in order to avoid any potential water damage or leaks. Last but not least, if you have a sump pump, ensure that it is operating properly. You can test it out by pouring a couple buckets of water into the sump pump. The pump should turn on, discharge the water, and then shut off again by itself.
By checking up on your plumbing each spring, it helps ensure you have good functioning plumbing units and can also help catch a problem before it gets too big. Whether you have a plumbing or heating question, or need help with a crisis, the experts at Action Mechanical are just a phone call away. We are here to help you maintain your plumbing systems and provide a fast, reliable service in the case of any emergency plumbing issues.
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