With spring cleaning in full swing, be sure to also check the plumbing in your home to ensure there is no damage after our harsh winter. Use our ready-made checklist to ensure you get issues serviced right away before any major damages occur.
With spring flourishing and winter now over it is time to tidy the house and get it ready for summer. This doesn’t mean only tidying the clutter but also making sure no damage was done to your plumbing after the harsh winter. The colder months can take a toll on your home’s pipes and plumbing systems by causing leaks, breakages, and more. We want to help you avoid any major damage, by providing a simple and effective plumbing checklist.
Once your checklist is complete be sure to contact the experts in case you discovered any issues or found something you’re unsure of.
Check For Leaks
First things first, be sure to do a simple and quick check for leaks in different areas of your house including the basement. Many leaks can go unnoticed, especially in the basement, and can cause further damage to your home, along with racking up your water bill.
Check your faucets for leaks by drying up all of the water at the top of your sink. Turn on the tap and look closely to see if water is seeping out around the base of your faucet or if there is a constant drip once the tap is off. Don’t forget to also check your outdoor faucets and hoses!
Check your toilet for leaks by adding 10 to 15 drops of food colouring in the tank and wait 10 to 30 minutes. Once the time has passed, check to see if you have any colour in your toilet blow. If you do, then there’s a leak and if not, you’re good to go!
Inspect Your Water Supply Valves
Your water shut-off valves allow you to shut off water to individual items in your home such as faucets, toilets, dishwashers, etc. Having this option allows you to shut off the water in an emergency situation without shutting off the water in your entire home.
To inspect the valves, locate them on each plumbing fixture, then turn the knob all the way to the left (open) and all the way to the right (closed) a few times to test if the water flows normally. If the valve is stuck, it likely needs to be replaced and if there is an issue with water flow, it can be causing a leak, so ensure you turn off the water until it is repaired.
Check Your Water Heater
Begin by checking your water heater temperature to ensure you’re getting the best water temperature and not drastically (and unnecessarily) increasing your energy bill. The temperature should be set at about 120°F, anything higher or lower becomes concerning. If your temperature is anything different be sure to contact us for assistance.
While checking your water heater, look for the manufacturer’s label to inspect the age of your water heater. If it is older than 8 to 10 years, ensure you’re getting an annual inspection and consider upgrading to a newer model. Be sure to contact us for more information about a service!
Test Your Sump Pump (If You Have One)
If your home has a sump pump be sure to test it to ensure it is discharging water correctly to ensure no overflowing and flooding in your home. To test this, pour some water into the sump pit and wait to hear the results. If the pump turns on, discharges the water, and then shuts off, you’re good to go! If the pump doesn’t turn on or off then there might be a problem.
Inspect Exposed Pipes
Lastly, inspect all exposed pipes both inside or outside of your home to ensure no cracks or leaks. We want to ensure that they’re caught now before they turn into breakages and cause serious damage to your home.
Trust The Experts
Now that your checklist has been completed, be sure to contact us with where the issues are. Our experts will be here to help solve the problems, so be sure to contact us immediately. It is imperative to have any issues fixed before they turn into problems and cause serious damage to your home. We know how to help and will assist you with any plumbing and heating needs. Trust the experts!
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