Cleaning isn’t the only thing that you should be focusing on this spring. While it is time for some cleaning and reorganizing, it is also time to take a look at your plumbing. By regularly maintaining your plumbing systems, you are taking proper steps to ensure that your home doesn’t fall victim to serious issues and damage. Here at Five Star Plumbing, a plumbing company in Baltimore, MD, we understand that it can be difficult to know where to begin when assessing your plumbing system. That is why we have created a Spring Plumbing Maintenance Checklist! 

The Ultimate Spring Plumbing Maintenance Checklist

Any Pipe Leaks?

First things first, you’re going to need to check for leaks. Take a good look at your faucets to see if any water is escaping when you shut it off. If you find any leaks, you need to repair or replace these fixtures to prevent and minimize damage. Doing this will also lower your water bill significantly. 

Toilet Leaks? 

Your toilet bowl and toilet tank are huge potential problem areas, so you will need to inspect them for leaks. A good trick is to place about 5 drops of food dye into the tank and wait an hour. If any of that food coloring has made its way into the bowl after an hour, you most likely have a leak. These types of leaks will need to be properly inspected by a plumbing professional. 

Check Your Water Heater

It’s always important that you take a look at your water heater. If your water heater is 15 years old or older, it may be time for a new one. Make sure that your water heater is not set higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit. This will ensure that you are not spending too much on your energy bill. For safety reasons, make sure that you move any and all items away from the water heater.

Inspect Your Appliances

Appliances that use water such as your dishwasher, fridge, or washing machine will need to be properly inspected. The water supply hoses need to be regularly inspected for leaks or bulging. Replace any old hoses (ten years old or older) with stainless steel hoses. These hoses are much more durable and efficient than traditional supply hoses. 

Sump Pump Test

Your sump pump is a very integral part of your plumbing, and this spring is the perfect time to give it some TLC. A great test to see if your sump pump is working properly is to pour a bucket of water into the pit where it sits. Your sump pump should activate immediately and drain the water before deactivating again. If this chain of events does not occur, then you have an issue that you will need to address immediately. 

Inspect Outdoor Plumbing

The exterior of your home is just as important as your interior when it comes to inspection and maintenance. Take a good look at your drains, gutters, and downspouts. Clear any and all debris out of their way. Make sure that you look at your vents as well and clear any blockage that may be there. 

The winter may have brought some severe weather with it that very well could have inflicted some pain on your exterior plumbing. Check your exterior faucets for any leaks or signs that they need to be repaired or replaced. 

Now that you have completed your spring plumbing maintenance checklist, it may be time to reach out to a plumbing professional. Luckily for you, Five Star Plumbing has an all-star team of experienced plumbing experts that are readily available to assist you!

About Five Star Plumbing

If you need residential or commercial plumbing services contact Five Star Plumbing! We will take care of it! As local plumbers, our service area includes Baltimore County and Harford County, including but not limited to Bel Air, Abingdon, Fallston, Towson, Baltimore, Parkville, Lutherville, and Timonium. We offer 2 hour appointment windows so you don’t have to wait all day – no matter where in the area that you are located. We offer many different services, including well pump services, water treatment, plumbing repair and installation, outdoor plumbing services, drain cleaning, and water heater services.