February 27, 2020
How to Prep Your Home’s Plumbing for Spring Certain areas of Florida see more moisture than other areas. You work your hardest to keep water out of your home, but what happens if your home’s plumbing fails you? You don’t want to let the problem run rampant, and you definitely shouldn’t have to deal with aftermath of a burst pipe, backed-up tub, or other plumbing issue. As you prepare your home and landscape for springtime, remember to include your home’s plumbing on your to-do list. Follow the five simple steps listed below to prevent any serious plumbing issues and keep your home’s interior as free of water as possible. 1. Stop Leaky Pipes Leaky pipes can cause a large amount of damage to your home’s walls, floors, and structural supports. When these structures become unstable, they can put your family at risk for injury, and your home could need significant repairs. Additionally, the constant, slow stream of moisture provides the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew. If you and your loved ones are exposed to these spores, you could become ill or develop serious health issues (such as respiratory problems). You’ll already encounter a lot of moisture in the outside air, so make sure that your home stays free of water and repair any leaky pipes. You may be able to see some leaks easily. For example, if the pipes under your kitchen sink leak, you can spot the problem fairly quickly. But if a leak is further along the pipeline, you’ll need a plumber to fix the issue. To determine if you have a leak, make sure no water is running in your home. Then, stand near your pipes and listen for dripping or running water. You can also look at your water meter or water bill. If the numbers are higher than normal, you probably have a leak. 2. Check Your Appliances for Leaks You’ll also want to check your appliances for leaks. Inspect the toilets, sinks, washers, dishwashers, and water heater for leaks in the piping and tanks. If the appliances do leak, you’ll likely see a puddle of water surrounding them. 3. Unclog Drains If you have clogged drains anywhere in your home, you’ll want to unclog them immediately. Clogs prevent water from flowing away from your home, and that water could backflow into your house. The last thing you want to deal with this spring is repairing water damage caused by an overflowing toilet. Sometimes surface clogs, like hair that rests in the opening of your shower drain, don’t take much effort to remove. However, for clogs that sit deeper in the pipe, you’ll need a plumber to manage the problem. Your plumber will likely use hydro jetting to push the clog out of the pipeline. Additionally, hydro jetting can remove any tree roots that may have broken your pipes and grown in them. Your plumber can even use this service to clean the rest of the pipes in your home so that you reduce the risk of developing a clog later on. 4. Flush Your Water Heater Over time, sediment and mineral deposits build up inside your water heater tank. If left unchecked, that buildup could cause serious problems for your plumbing system. For example, the buildup could prevent water from flowing through your water heater and into your pipes. Or if the buildup becomes too big, it could crack or burst a pipe or a portion of the tank. Contact a plumbing expert and ask him or her to flush the water heater and remove this buildup so you can conveniently enjoy hot water year-round. 5. Inspect Your Backflow Preventer and Cross Connections Depending on where you live, you likely have a backflow preventer somewhere on your property. Additionally, you probably have cross connections as well. The backflow preventer stops contaminants from entering public water sources from your individual pipelines, while the cross connections are devices that connect the various types of piping in your home. The cross connections prevent other substances from getting into your water. For example, the connections carry solids, gases, chemicals, and other liquids that alter the quality, taste, color, and odor of your water. To ensure that your home has a clean water supply, and to keep public water sources clean for your neighbors, have your backflow preventer and cross connections inspected. If a big storm hits, you’ll also want to have these devices inspected soon after to prevent contaminants from entering the water supply near your home. Take the steps listed above to prepare your home’s plumbing for the spring weather. Remember to get in touch with a plumbing professional to perform many of these complex tasks. As you rely on a certified technician to perform these tasks, you reduce your risk for encountering issues in the future. You also ensure that your plumbing system works properly all season long. Additionally, look for a plumber who offers emergency plumbing services—just in case you encounter a plumbing issue unexpectedly. Want more tips about how a plumber can keep your home’s plumbing in optimal condition? Read through our other blog posts. You’ll find various articles that address a number of concerns and issues.