Your Spring Plumbing Maintenance Checklist

Regular maintenance for your plumbing is necessary even if there are no visible signs of leakage or blockage. Your commercial plumbing is working all year round to ensure the proper flow of water and disposal of wastewater. Even a minor drip can lead to extensive damage — if not identified prior by scheduling preventative maintenance. 

While the traditional notion of general cleaning happens every spring, many people only focus on cleaning their attics, tending their gardens, rearranging furniture, and inspecting their roofs. These tasks are also critical in maintaining a functional property, but paying attention to your plumbing system for spring cleaning is highly advisable.

As the warmer weather approaches, a thorough cleaning is needed to check for any damage that might have occurred during the winter season. Spring is an ideal time to assess commercial pipes and ensure that you got all areas covered. Here is an expert spring maintenance checklist that you can easily follow.

1, CHECK FOR SIGNS OF LEAKAGE

An essential thing you can do during a plumbing inspection is check the water pipes for any signs of leakage. The process includes checking underneath your sinks, laundry and flushing the toilet to see any leaks around the pipe connection. 

Furthermore, the frigid weather during the past season might have frozen some parts of your plumbing system. When spring comes, your pipes are more susceptible to cracking due to the weather change.

You can quickly resolve some leakage issues by simply installing a new fixture, but you have to be entirely sure that using a new fixture can stop the leakage. If the pipes are visibly leaking, it is best to call a plumber and have the lines adequately checked. Never delay repairing leaking pipes and fixtures to reduce water costs and have more powerful water pressure.

2. DRAINAGE

Aside from water draining slowly, one way to identify a drainage issue is a foul odor coming from the drain. An easy way to remove the blockage is by pouring hot water or drain cleaner to dissolve the obstruction hopefully. However, you can avoid the inconvenience and the smell by placing a strain to prevent hair, debris, and excess soap. 

If the slow water drain issue is persistent, then it means that the obstruction lies deep within your plumbing system. Contact your local plumber right away instead of repeatedly pouring drain cleaners down the drain — which can cause further damage.

3. WATER HEATER

Water heaters are essential during the colder seasons. It was an effective source of comfort during winter, and maintaining your water heating unit during spring only makes perfect sense. Before inspecting the unit, determine its age since the newer models are built to be more energy-efficient. It would be best if it’s over a decade old, installing a new water heater.

However, if you don’t want to change your trusty heater, there is a way to ensure that it’s working at total capacity. First, make sure that the temperature is not set above 120 degrees to make it more efficient and prevent scalding. Second, it is best to remove any objects around the water heater for additional safety.

4. WATER APPLIANCES

Water is a necessity, and mechanical appliances have significantly maximized water usage. Water is primarily used indoors, where it has been reported by the Environmental Protective Agency (EPA) that the average American household consumes 300 gallons of water each day. 

Many appliances primarily use and distribute water, such as:

• Toilet

• Shower

• Faucet

• Washing Machine

• Leaks

• Bath

• Dishwasher

• Ice maker

• Bidet 

Due to the significance of water in our daily lives, it is necessary to preserve it as much as we can. Spring is an ideal season to inspect water appliances, and you can start by checking the water hoses for signs of leakage or bulging. 

Replace old hoses with stainless steel if possible and check your showerhead if it has any signs of dripping or hard water deposits. Public water tends to have high mineral and calcium content, and these flaky substances can cause a build-up in your showerhead or faucet, which could weaken the water pressure.

5. SUMP PUMP

As part of your spring plumbing maintenance, examine your sump pump to ensure it is working properly. To test its efficiency, pour a bucket of water into the sump pump pit and immediately activate the system to drain the water. If the sump pump fails to deactivate after draining, it is best to contact your local plumber to assess the unit thoroughly

6. OUTDOOR PLUMBING

In addition to the internal pipes and fixtures, you also need to examine your outdoor hoses, sprinklers, and irrigation system. Ensure that you have secure and convenient access to the valves outside your property by installing airtight and watertight exterior access doors. 

Clean the drains, gutters, and downspouts to remove any debris obstructing water flow. If you have a faucet outside, ensure that the water flows properly and check for leakage since extreme cold weather can damage the fixture. 

IMPORTANCE OF SPRING PLUMBING MAINTENANCE

Plumbing systems work non-stop, especially in commercial spaces. The best way to save money and prevent inconvenience is by paying close attention to your plumbing system. Identifying potential damages early on is better than paying for extensive damage repair. To summarize, here are some of the benefits you stand to gain when you include plumbing in your annual spring cleaning routine. 

• Address Water Leaks - Leaking pipes and fixtures may seem insignificant but waiting for it to turn into something more disastrous is inconvenient and expensive, especially for businesses. There is a high possibility that some parts of the pipes will crack once winter is over, so scheduling maintenance early in spring is highly recommended.

• Maintain Water Heater and Other Equipment - Regardless of the season, water heaters are commonly used all year round. Any functioning unit will lose efficiency and wear out faster if not properly maintained. Treating your water heater as an essential component of your commercial plumbing system is a good start in ensuring that your property will receive heated water throughout the year.

• Reduce Water Costs - Any form of water leakage within your commercial plumbing system directly contributes to the high water consumption. As such, identifying and addressing any damage within the system is one of the most effective solutions in reducing your monthly water expenses. 

TAKEAWAY

There are various ways to care for and maintain your plumbing system properly. At the same time, spring is an excellent time to assess pipes and valves after the harsh winter season. However, checking for any visible signs of leaks or damage can benefit the business regardless of the season. After following these plumbing expert tips in this checklist, you can ensure that your plumbing system is well-maintained and off to a good start.

Guest Contributor: Chris Jackson