Prep Your Pipes for Spring & Summer
After a cold winter, the warm rays of springtime feel amazing! While you may be inspired to do some spring cleaning or freshen up your home for brighter days, don’t forget to add these household to-dos to your list to ensure your pipes are in great shape for the changing seasons. Here’s how to prep your pipes for spring and summer!
Check for Leaks & Drips
TOILETS: Start by checking the floor around your toilets to ensure the joints and seals are properly secured and there’s no wetness surrounding the area. Catching this early will ensure you don’t have to spend hundreds on new flooring if there’s an ongoing problem with the toilet that needs fixing. You can also add a few drops of food coloring to your toilet tank to test leaks. If the dye makes it’s way into your bowl within 30 minutes, you may have a leak.
SINKS & FAUCETS: Make sure to check faucets around your home, too, especially in sink, bath, and shower areas. Dripping faucets can cost you hundreds of dollars over time. Take a look at the pipes surrounding water sources, in utility rooms, and kitchens as well to look for signs of leaks, breaks, or corrosion. If you see a problem, commit to getting it fixed by a professional plumber instead of waiting it out – there’s a good chance you’ll save yourself money and time by addressing the issue now!
Assess Outdoor Water Sources
SPRINKLERS: Don’t let your sprinkler heads get clogged with dirt or other obstructions. This could cause a buildup when you turn your sprinkler system on, leading to a burst in the pipes. It’s also a good idea to check for broken sprinklers so that you’re not wasting water in one spot if you have a malfunctioning sprinkler head. Plus, taking time for a quick overview at the start of spring ensures you’re able to water your lawn with ease when the time comes – a win/win!
HOSES: Your outdoor hoses could be an indicator of interior problems. If you notice your hoses have cracks from expansion, it might be a good idea to check your interior pipes as well. While colder temps tend to make things shrink, warm air causes them to expand. If you’ve been dealing with unsettled weather and a pattern of hot and cold days, check your hoses and pipes to ensure water is not leaking from new fissures in the lines.
OUTDOOR FAUCETS: You should’ve shut off your outdoor water supply before freezing temps rolled in to avoid damaging your faucets, but it’s always a good idea to give them a test before you need them for the season. Cold weather can unfortunately wreak havoc on outdoor water sources! To test your faucets, make sure the water supply is turned on then open the valve. It’s common to hear gurgling and popping sounds as the air is cleared from the pipes. Once the water flows out, turn it off and check closely for any drips, leaks, or concerns. Do the same inside!
GUTTERS & DOWNSPOUTS: Spend an afternoon cleaning leaves and other debris from your gutters and downspouts BEFORE they become an issue. Make sure you remove any blockages and then perform a test by running water through them to better assess if more work is needed to clear runoff paths. Be sure to also check for sagging areas, leaks, or breaks.
Prepare for Increased Usage
WATER PRESSURE: Warmer months bring more water usage between sprinklers, filling up pools, and more fun in the sun. Combat low water pressure by planning around high water usage times. Shower earlier or later than normal, do laundry another time, or set your sprinkler system to turn on later than your neighbors. Each of these small actions can help you keep your water pressure strong since you won’t be fighting the whole block for water use. If you’re still having issues with water pressure, there might be something else causing it. Call a professional to assess the situation.
WATER BILLS: Since water usage will be up, your water bill will likely follow suit. One way to help save some money is by wrapping your pipes. While this is a useful winter tip to keep plumbing from freezing, it can also be useful in the summer by keeping pipes from sweating. When the water in the pipes is colder than the warm temps outside, pipes will sweat, causing you to waste water. Try wrapping your pipes to fight this! Additionally, paying special attention to your laundry room can help save money. Check your washing machine hoses to ensure there are no leaks or breaks, and while you’re thinking about that, make a mental note to not run the machine if you’re out. There’s nothing like an unexpected flood to cost you plenty of money in repairs.
WATER SOFTENERS: Did you know hard water contributes to mineral buildup in your pipes, is connected to dry and itchy skin issues, and shortens the lifespan of your appliances? If you’re using more water during warmer months and you still have hard water, that just means you’re contributing to these buildups and breakdowns even faster than usual. Investing in a water softener can save you money long-term and solve these home water problems.
Our Advanced Water team would love to help you tackle spring with on-call plumbing services and the best water available! Give us a call at 580-338-5127 to get a custom quote for your specific needs today.