Duane Blanton Family Home Services

Spring is always associated with cleaning, tidying, and rearranging around the house. Dusting, moping, vacuuming, opening windows, and switching out for spring-themed décor all become part of the weekend routine. But surprisingly, this usually doesn’t extend to cleaning and tidying around the home’s plumbing fixtures.

A home’s plumbing endures quite a bit of heavy use throughout the winter months. And the rainier weather of the spring doesn’t let up on the beating most home’s plumbing and pipes will have to put up with. Which is why it’s important for homeowners to get out ahead of the additional strain, find an opening, and perform some light maintenance to keep their home’s plumbing prepared for spring-time weather shifts.

Clean Drains, Gutters, and Downspouts

These outdoor areas are prone to accumulating debris, leaves, sticks, and other obstructions that can block the flow of water moving through drains, gutters, and downspout openings. Keeping the water flowing through these areas is necessary to avoid damage from water sitting or finding new paths through less favorable, so it is homeowner’s best interests to keep these spots clean and clear.

Check for Water Pressure Issues and Leaks

Running faucets throughout the home is helpful to gauge both the water pressure and hidden leaks in the pipes. If homeowners turn on a faucet and receive a light dribble instead of a steady flow, there’s a good chance there are issues somewhere in the homes pipes that needs to be identified and sorted out.

Homeowners should also walk throughout the home looking for lesser known signs of leaks. For instance, cracked, warped, or spongy/springy flooring, especially if the flooring is visibly wet, is a sure sign that moisture is present under the flooring. Paying attention to the ceiling in rooms below bathrooms, be on the lookout for brown spots forming, as these indict spots where water is falling onto the ceiling and leaving a stain. In every room, and especially in darker spots, or within cabinets or closets, pay attention for the musky, mildewing scent presenting from the presence of mold. Mold growth occurs from a build-up of moisture in spots with low light, so it’s possible that the smell is easier to detect than the growth itself.

Drain and Refill the Water Heater

Water heaters naturally accumulate mineral sediment at the bottom of their tanks throughout their continued, regular use. Flushing a water heater will clear out this sediment buildup and help the water heater perform to its fullest capabilities. Homeowners should carefully follow the steps to drain and refill their hot water heater, as it can be an involved task, even though the steps seem fairly straight forward. If homeowners are hesitant about draining and refilling the hot water heater on their own, they should reach out to a plumbing professional for assistance.

Check and Clean the Sump Pump

As rain increases in the spring, a home’s sump pump becomes one of the most important protective features. Homeowners can perform general maintenance on a sump pump, clearing debris from within and checking blockages in the drain pipe. It’s also wise to inspect the electrical connections, and ensure everything is plugged in safely and running smoothly without being exposed directly to water. However, it is still imperative that a regular annual inspection is performed on a home’s sump pump to ensure that any small issues are uncovered before they balloon out and lead to a pump failure at an inopportune time.

Spring plumbing maintenance is all about proactivity and readiness, to keep water running within the home where and when it is expected. While homeowners can identify trouble spots or potential issues, it’s still important to bring in a professional to fully diagnose any issues and provide solutions that work for homeowners. If you have yet to schedule a spring plumbing inspection, or have a specific issue you think needs to be addressed, reach out to the plumbing professionals at Duane Blanton Plumbing, Sewer, Heating, and Cooling. With over 30+ years of plumbing knowledge and experience, the licensed team at Duane Blanton can answer questions and provide solutions for any homeowner plumbing need. Reach out to Duane Blanton’s plumbing pros today, at (847) 262-9516, or schedule an appointment online conveniently from your browser using Duane Blanton’s convenient online scheduling portal today.