Spring Cleaning? Don’t Forget Plumbing

The warmer weather of spring is upon us. You may find yourself throwing open your windows to let the sunshine and breeze in or venturing outdoors to enjoy the verdant landscape with all of its colorful blooms. Spring cleaning may be on your agenda, too, as you streamline and organize your home.

When most people think of spring cleaning, they picture dusting, mopping, vacuuming, and organizing drawers and closets. As you focus on shaping up your home, though, don’t neglect the all-important plumbing system. The freezing temperatures of winter can damage pipes, so a careful inspection of your plumbing system is wise.

Here are some tips for spring cleaning your plumbing:

• Clean your gutters and downspouts. Leaves and other debris may have accumulated there. The vent pipes on the roof could be clogged with winter debris and need cleaning, too.
• Check the hose bibbs and replace them if you find leaks or damages.
• Install backwater valves on floor drains. This can help prevent sewer backups.
• Pour water on floor drains to check how fast it flows. If the drains are sluggish, use snakes to remove clogs.
• In addition to using a snake, you can also clear debris and buildup from your drains using bacterial drain cleaner. Snakes are needed if the clogs are frequent.
• Clean the traps underneath the sinks in the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry.
• Prevent hair and other debris from clogging your drains by covering them with mesh strainers.
• Test your sump pump. To gauge its performance, put water into the basin and trip the lever.
• Drain your water heater to get rid of accumulated debris and sediment.
• Clean your faucets and showerheads. Remove any mineral buildup.
• Check the water supply lines to your faucets, toilets, washing machine, and other water-dependent appliances. Replace the lines if you see any leaks, tears or bulges.
• Clean the lint trap of your washing machine.
• Clean your garbage disposal.
• Perform a thorough check around your house, inspecting the walls and ceilings for spots or water damage.

As long as you’re in the spring cleaning mode, make sure to include your plumbing system. A tune-up every spring can help ward off problems down the line.