Most of your plumbing system is buried in the ground under your home and in your yard. This means that, during the winter months when it is very cold outside, those parts of your plumbing system are subject to the conditions of the ground and the weather.
The winter can be very harsh on your plumbing system, and sometimes it is hard to tell if any damage has occurred until this time of year when things begin to thaw and defrost.
Proper maintenance is important to your plumbing system and now is a great time to do it because you can identify small problems before they escalate. Once the spring season has officially started, it is hard to stay focused enough to get all of your spring cleaning chores done before the summer sun entices you away.
And, most people do not put plumbing maintenance at the top of their spring cleaning list, so it gets put off and ultimately ignored. But, if you get it out of the way now, you can easily have any small measures of damage repaired before the spring and summer months arrive.
Here are some spring plumbing maintenance tips to be thoughtful of:
- Check the seal around the base of your toilet. If it is cracked or there are pieces missing, make sure to run a new bead of sealant around the base of your toilet. This will ensure that no water can get through the bathroom flooring and the subfloor underneath. This protect your subfloor from water damage and wood rot.
- Make sure your water heater has been inspected in the last three years, and if not, schedule an appointment for inspection. The temperature, tank, and valves should all be checked to ensure they are in top working condition.
- Check all drains and faucets for leaks. Even a small leak can quickly escalate to something much more sinister over time. Make sure that you check carefully and with a flashlight under the sinks all around your home.
Keep all of your plumbing system working properly by checking off these maintenance tips. Do this before the spring cleaning season arrives to ensure that you have enough time to get it all done. Nothing will ruin your spring and summer activities quicker than a plumbing malfunction.