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The frigid Michigan weather impacts the function of your home’s faucets, pipes and other plumbing fixtures. Use these practical maintenance tips to ensure your home’s plumbing is ready for spring in Grand Rapids, MI.
Look for Leaks
Look for leaks when you get your home’s plumbing system ready for spring. Frozen water expands, creating holes and cracks in pipes, hoses and faucets.
This damage causes water to leak, which then raises your water bill and puts your property at risk of water damage. Finding and repairing leaks prepares your plumbing system for spring. If you have evidence of a leak like dripping sounds, water damage, or spiking bills, but you don’t see one yourself, it could be hidden behind a wall or foundation. A professional leak detection team can find it and prevent further damage.
Examine and Repair Outdoor Spigots
Freezing winter weather also damages outdoor spigots. A damaged spigot drips water, causing damage like mildew in your lawn and water stains on your home’s siding.
More significant damage, such as a large crack or detachment, causes the spigot to spray water, putting your basement or crawlspace at risk of flooding. Once winter ends, check the spigot and have one of our plumbers repair it if needed.
Test the Water Pressure
Along with repairing your outdoor spigot, our plumbers can check the water pressure in your plumbing system. Low water pressure occurs because of a leak or buildup in one of your pipes.
Sediment buildup or a small leak can create larger and more expensive damage to your plumbing system later. Testing the water pressure in the spring serves as the foundation for finding and resolving minor issues promptly.
Clean the Showerhead and Faucets
Sediment buildup in your faucets and showerhead also causes low water pressure. After the winter ends, clean these plumbing fixtures.
Soak them in vinegar to remove mineral deposits in them. Rinse them with clear water. You may need to soak and rinse them several times to remove all of the sediment.
Look for Corrosion and Rust
As you inspect your plumbing system, look for rust and corrosion. Both lead to damage like cracks and holes. These elements also shorten the lifespan of fixtures like hoses and pipes. Our plumbers can repair or replace fixtures that have corrosion or rust in or on them.
Review Your Water Bills
Your monthly water bills in Grand Rapids can also tell you if something is wrong with your plumbing system. A spike in your water costs could hint at a bigger problem like a leak or a clog. If your spring water bills increase without you and your household using more water than usual, hire one of our plumbers at Service Professor to inspect and service your plumbing system.
Test Backflow Preventers
Your spring plumbing maintenance should include testing the system’s backflow preventers. To test them, first turn off the water supply and attach the test kit. Next, open the test cocks, check the pressure readings and inspect the preventer components.
Record the results before restoring your water supply. If you are not confident in your ability to carry out this process, hire one of our plumbers to test the backflow preventers.
Test Your Shutoff Valve
The shutoff valve in your plumbing system mitigates risks like flooding and water damage. Test it at least once a year. It allows you to shut off water flow in your system while our plumbers replace or fix a fixture like a sink or toilet.
Most shutoff valves are located in utility rooms or the basement. Some are located on an outside wall where the main water supply enters homes.
Monitor Humidity in Your Basement
After a snowy winter, humidity can build up in your basement. Monitor the humidity level to prevent mildew and algae growth. You can hire our team to install a dehumidifier to lower your basement’s humidity and prevent fungus from growing in it.
Clear the Drains
Once spring arrives, clear the drains in your home. Food, hair and other debris in them creates clogs. Clogs slows or prevents water drainage from the bathtub, sink, shower and washing machine. Cleaning them could call for the use of professional plumbing equipment like a plumbing snake and cleaning chemicals.
Inspect the Main Water Line
Clogs can also affect the main water line in your plumbing system. Water might back up in your basement or utility room. Water may also remain standing in your kitchen sink or bathtub because of a clogged main water line.
Hiring one of our plumbers to inspect this line helps your system run better. Our plumbers can determine what debris is inside it. They can also inspect the line for tree root damage or roots growing into it.
Check Your Irrigation System
If you have an irrigation system in your yard, inspect it before turning it on for the spring. Ensure the sprinkler heads are intact and are not damaged. Repair any leaks and replace damaged sprinklers to ensure this system functions normally.
Inspect Your Washing Machine Hoses
The washing machine hoses are important to your plumbing system’s normal function. Inspect them at least once a year. Look for any bulges or cracks in them. Replace them as needed to prevent them from leaking or causing water to back up in the washer.
Test the Toilet for Leaks
Cold weather can cause damage to your home’s toilets. Test them for leaks every spring. Add a few drops of food coloring to their tanks.
If color appears in the bowl, the toilets have leaks that need repaired. Our plumbers can also install new toilets if the repairs cost more than half of your current toilets’ value.
Inspect Your Sump Pump
Your sump pump also plays a key role in your plumbing system’s function. It collects and pumps out water and protects your home from flooding. Inspect it every spring for damage.
Check the power supply by ensuring the sump pump is plugged in and receiving sufficient power. Also check the float switch by making sure it activates and is not stuck or obstructed. Test the pump by pouring water in it to ensure it activates. Watch to see if it removes water effectively and shuts off correctly.
Likewise, listen for unusual noises and check the sump pump for debris and corrosion. Hire our plumbers to repair the sump pump if it does not operate normally or has damaged components in it.
Flush the Water Heater
Flush your water heater after winter comes to an end. This task removes sediment that settles at the bottom of the bank. It also extends your heater’s lifespan and improves its heating efficiency.
Hiring our plumbers to flush your water heater at least once a year reduces your energy costs and prevents it from making unusual noises like popping and rumbling. It additionally protects your home’s water quality by removing impurities.
Look for Water Stains
Checking your plumbing system also involves inspecting your home for water stains. Look at your ceilings, floors and walls for brown or yellow stains. Water stains can indicate a problem like a leaky pipe that requires immediate professional repairs.
Learn More About Spring Plumbing System Maintenance
At Service Professor, we have 40 years of experience providing homeowners in the Grand Rapids area with professional plumbing inspections and maintenance. Our business provides customers with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. We also serve the area as a factory-authorized Carrier dealer. Our plumbers perform inspections and repair plumbing fixtures like gas lines and garbage disposals. Contact Service Professor for spring plumbing maintenance today.
