Spring cleanings isn’t just for windows and closets. Though it’s easy to forget, your plumbing system needs regular checks and maintenance to be sure everything is working well for you and your family and to save costly repairs down the road. Below are a few tips to get you started:
- Check faucets for drips or leaks.
- Add strainers to the drains in your home to prevent hair, soap and food from clogging your drains.
- Inspect toilet tank and bowl for cracks or leaks. To find hidden leaks, add several drops of food coloring to the toilet tank. If you see the coloring in your toilet bowl after 30 minutes, you have a hidden leak and will need to get it fixed promptly.
- Observe how your toilets flush. If the handle has to be held down for a thorough flush or you need to play with it to stop the water from running, your tank parts may be worn and need to be replaced.
- Set the temperature on your hot water heater no higher than 120°F to prevent scalding and reduce energy use.
- Drain several gallons from the water heater tank. This will flush out sediment which can cause corrosion and reduce your water heater’s efficiency.
- If your water heater is more than 15 years old, you may want to replace it with a newer, more energy-efficient unit. (The first four numbers of the serial number represent the month and year it was made.)
- Check exposed pipes under sinks and in the basement for signs of leaks.
- Make sure yard drains, gutters and downspouts are cleaned out and free of debris.
- Check outdoor faucets and hose bibs to make sure water flows freely.
Have more questions? Call us—we’d love to help! Call the professionals at Go Green Plumbing at 336-252-2999 for service 7 days a week/24 hours a day. If water runs through it – We Do It!
