Spring Plumbing Checkup: Make Sure You Have The Number Of An Emergency Plumber | Timberlane, LA

5/3/2021

Photo By AndreyPopov at istock

With the arrival of spring, you are likely undertaking some form of spring cleaning in your home, but have you thought about giving your plumbing system a checkup? Now is a good time to make sure everything is running properly and nip any problems in the bud so that an emergency plumber’s visit is not in your near future.

Start Outside

You will be spending more and more time outdoors now that the weather is turning pretty. Get your plumbing ready for the spring season by:

• Ensuring that downspouts, gutters, and drains are clear of dead leaves and other debris.

 

• Checking hose bibs and faucets to be sure that the water flows easily when you turn the tap. If you notice dripping from an outdoor faucet or if you observe a leak inside your home when you initially turn the hose on, then it may indicate that a pipe has cracked somewhere, and an emergency plumber needs to be called.

 

• Checking for misplaced bird nests in your plumbing’s vent pipes. Follow local guidelines for nest removal if you discover an active nest.

In Your Kitchen and Bathrooms

The kitchen and bathroom are obvious hot spots for plumbing trouble. To make sure yours is up to par for the spring season, you should:

• Observe faucets for leaks and drips. Call your emergency plumber out for any necessary repairs.

 

• Give your showerhead a good cleaning to remove any mineral deposits. Unscrew the showerhead and soak it in vinegar. Alternatively, you can fill a plastic bag with vinegar and secure it to your shower head using a rubber band. Allow it to soak overnight, and then scrub away any remaining deposits with a scrub brush.

 

• Check toilets to be sure they flush as they should. If you have to jiggle the handle to make the water stop running or hold the handle down to achieve a proper flush, then you may need some replacement parts in the tank. Call on your emergency plumber for help.

 

• Be sure your toilets are not leaking by adding 10 drops of food coloring to the tank. Wait 30 minutes. If any of the coloring has leaked into the toilet bowl, then you will know that you have a leak that needs to be fixed.

 

• Check for leaks and cracks in the toilet bowl and the tank.

Appliances

Your appliances can often be the site of plumbing problems, necessitating a call to your emergency plumber in Timberlane, LA. Some appliance checkup tasks to consider during your spring plumbing checkup:

• Check the supply lines on your ice maker, washing machine, and dishwasher, looking for leaks or bulges. If any hoses have been in service for 10 years or more, now is a good time to think about replacing them. Likewise, if any hoses are showing signs of weakness or wear, replacing them now as opposed to later is a smart move that can save you trouble down the road. When choosing replacements, go for stainless steel options, since they are less apt to burst and more reliable overall.

 

• Check your water heater’s temperature setting. To reduce energy use and prevent scalding burns, the water heater should be no greater than 120 degrees F.

 

• Flush out your water heater tank to remove corrosion or ask your emergency plumber to do so for you. This removes or reduces sediment that shortens your water heater’s lifespan and makes it run less efficiently.

 

• Think about replacing your water heater if it has been in service for 15 years or more. To find out how long it’s been installed, check the serial number on the tank. The first four digits represent the date it was manufactured. For example, if the serial number is 0104, it was manufactured in January of 2004.

 

• Take stock of flammables in your home, making sure that they are not stored near your water heater or other sources of heat/flame.

 

• If your washing machine is equipped with a lint trap, clean it out. Think about placing a wire trap over your washer’s drain hose.

General Plumbing Checkup Tips for Spring

Some other points of concern when you’re undertaking your home’s plumbing checkup this spring include:

• Looking for leaks under the sinks in the home or in the basement. Check all exposed pipes.

 

• Checking for the functionality of your sump pump if your home is equipped with one. Test it out to make sure it operates as it should by pouring some water into the pit. This should activate it to turn on immediately and it should pump out any water before shutting itself off again. If it does not, your emergency plumber can help.

 

• Read your meter before you go to bed, and then check it again when you wake up. This will let you determine if there are slow leaks in the home. If you find that you have a slow leak, your plumber can do an inspection to find the leak and repair it before it gets worse.

 

• Consider installing flood alarms in your home. This type of alarm works like a smoke detector; it sounds an alarm if it senses water, which alerts you to take action.

 

• If you live in an area where you sometimes experience backup into the home through the floor drains, think about installing a backflow valve for those drains. This can prevent any backups in the future and reduce your need for an emergency plumber.

When You Need Plumbing Help in Timberlane, LA

The seasoned professional plumbing staff and emergency plumbers with bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of New Orleans servicing Timberlane, LA, are available around the clock to handle all your plumbing needs. Reach out to us 24/7/365 and we’ll leap into action right away.