When spring rolls around, homeowners often take advantage of the mild weather to deep clean their homes, de-clutter, and organize. A little preventive maintenance on your plumbing can be helpful this time of year as well — and it may save you money and problems later on.

Below is a quick checklist you can perform as part of your spring cleaning!

Inspect Your Water Heater

Perform a water heater check-up. Look for signs of water leaks and corrosion around the control panel and the floor. Did you turn the temperature up over the winter season? It’s typically recommended that you keep your water heater at a setting of around 120°F to help prevent scalding, reduce energy costs, and maintain the lifespan of your unit.

It’s also recommended you have your water heater drained once a year. Sediment can collect at the bottom, causing blockages and affecting its energy efficiency. To drain your water heater, you’ll want to turn off the unit and open the drain at least 2 to 3 gallons into a bucket or bowl. If you aren’t comfortable draining your water heater yourself, you’ll want to contact a professional plumber.

If your water heater is older than 15 years, you may want to consider replacing it. Check Other Appliances

Inspect your washing machine, refrigerator, and dishwasher. Ensure the supply hoses aren’t leaking and have no visible bulges. If the hose is over 10-years-old, consider replacing it with a durable stainless steel hose.

Some washing machines, typically those that aren’t high-efficiency utilize lint traps. If your unit has a lint trap, check it and clean it to help prevent lint from blocking the drain.

Bathrooms/Kitchens

Check faucets and toilets for water leaks and make necessary repairs. One quick way to determine if you have a toilet leak is to add a few drops of blue food coloring to the tank. If the toilet is leaking, you’ll notice blue in the bowl after about 20 to 30 minutes.

Install strainers on your drains to help prevent soap, hair, and other debris from clogging your drain.

Outside

Many homeowners often forget about their outdoor plumbing. Make sure your gutters, downspouts, and yard drains are clean and intact to provide effective draining. Check your vent pipes as well to make sure birds haven’t nested inside. You’ll also want to ensure all of your valves are working properly. If they are dripping or you are experiencing a leak in your home when you first open the valve, you may have a cracked pipe.

If you aren’t comfortable performing any of these, feel free to contact your local plumber like Clog Pro. We’re always happy to help our customers. We’ll uncover any problems and repair them right away!