To become aware of damage caused by winter’s harsh weather, it’s smart to conduct a springtime home plumbing check. Read on to learn residential plumbers’ recommendations on how to carry out a home plumbing inspection.
1. Look for Broken Hose Bibs and Frozen Pipes.
Freezing water is a major cause of home plumbing damage. Many a plumbing repair is necessitated by water that’s expanded into ice, bursting pipes and other home plumbing components. When shifting from liquid to solid state, water swells by 9%. For this reason, homeowners should shut off and drain water systems prior to hard freezes.
In the spring, check that all parts of your home plumbing system are still functional. Check faucets, outside spigots, and all parts of your plumbing schema. Beyond functionality, check for leaking pipes and pooling water. Should you discover ice damage, arrange for several quotes from local residential plumbers – doing so will generally win you a lower bid.
2. Replace Gaskets on Dripping Faucets.
Assuming you’re not a total home plumbing greenhorn, you can probably fix a leaky faucet yourself. Nine times out of ten, the culprit is a cracked, worn down gasket – a part you can easily acquire from a plumbing repair outlet. Residential plumbers can also be contracted to fix dripping faucets.
3. Rid Faucets of Mineral Build-Up.
White vinegar is a home plumbing must-have. Place it in a plastic baggie, hang that bag on the faucet with a rubber band, and let it soak for twenty-four hours. The vinegar naturally breaks down mineral deposits that limit water pressure.
4. Ensure that Each Drain Has a Filter.
As residential plumbers can vouch, placing filters over each drain in your home prevents clogs and costly plumbing repair.
5. Clean gutters, drains, and downspouts.
Ridding gutters, drains, and downspouts of detritus prevents leaks as well as mildew and mold growth. Once your roof’s drainage system is clear, examine your property for plumbing vents. Check that each vent is clear of sticks, leaves, nests, and so forth. If you don’t have a tall, sturdy ladder to check high vents, you can call a plumbing repair company for assistance. Residential plumbers don’t just do plumbing repair – they also offer preventive, maintenance-oriented services.
6. Toilet Care 101.
The sooner you catch toilet leaks and other problems, the better. A toilet leak can seep into your subflooring, eventually weakening structural beams and leading to collapse! Check your toilet for damage by scouring the exterior for cracks. Also look for water on the floor, seeping through the caulk around the bottom. This indicates that the wax seal on the bottom of the toilet is broken and must be replaced. Also check for a loose handle, or one that must be held down. Such plumbing repair projects are generally inexpensive, and they can save you a bundle on water costs over the long term.
To figure out whether your toilet is leaking internally, place a couple of drops of food coloring into the tank. Wait about a half hour, and then check for food coloring in the bowl. If you find coloring there, you do indeed have an internal leak on your hands – time to call a home plumbing expert.