When you think of spring cleaning, you likely think of donating old clothes, dusting hard to reach areas, and perhaps some yard work to prepare for summer. But how often do you think of spring cleaning and your home’s plumbing comes to mind?

While it may not be your first thought, routine spring plumbing maintenance can help you spot small plumbing issues before they turn into huge (and often costly) problems.

So before summer comes knocking, here are some spring plumbing tips from our Lombard plumbing experts:

Kitchen and Bathroom Plumbing Tips

• Ensure all drains have a strainer. This super affordable item can save your pipes from heaps of problems. They catch all food scraps, waste, and hair that would otherwise clog your drains.

• Check toilets for slow leaks. Slow leaks in your toilet can be difficult to spot, but are often a source of water waste in your home. Pro tip: add a few drops of food coloring into your toilet tank. Leave it for about 30 minutes and then check the toilet bowl — if you see any of the coloring in the bowl, you’ll know you have a hidden leak (and you can give us a call!).

• Repair faucet drips and leaks. Did you know a leaky faucet can waste more than 3,000 gallons per year? For a family of 5, that’s the amount of water you’ll need for almost 180 showers — that’s two month’s worth! An old gasket or washer can be the source of the problem, but before you start repairs remember to turn off the water line first!

• Clean hard water stains from shower heads. Public water tends to have a relatively high mineral content, but if you’re looking to reduce that annoying mineral buildup on your shower heads or faucets, we’ve got you covered. At Precision Plumbing, we offer several types of water treatment systems for your home, including water softeners. In the interim, soak your shower head in vinegar overnight (either by wrapping in a paper towel or tying a bag onto the shower head) to remove those unsightly stains.

• Check for pipe leaks. The winter season can wreak havoc on your home’s plumbing, often freezing and cracking pipes that you may not even be aware of. To detect a leak in your plumbing system, make sure no water is being used inside or outside your home. Take a look at your water meter; if you see any movement on the gauge, this could be the sign of a leak. You can also take a meter reading before and after an hour of no water usage has passed — if the reading changed, you have a leak

Appliance Plumbing Tips

• Check and drain your water heater. To reduce energy usage and prevent scalding, you’ll want to ensure your water heater is no higher than 120°F. It’s also a good time to flush any sediment buildup, as it reduces heating efficiency and can shorten the lifespan of your water heater. Be sure to check the manufacturer’s website for your water heater for specific drainage instructions.

• Consider replacing your water heater. Especially if it’s over ten years old or you keep having to pay for repairs. Certain water heater issues can signal it’s time for a replacement. While it may seem like an annoying investment, we promise it’s well worth it. Newer water heaters are more energy efficient, helping you save on your utility bills each month!

• Test your sump pump. April showers bring May flowers… and also possible basement flooding. As such, we recommend testing your sump pump now, before you need it most. How? Glad you asked! Pour some water into the sump pump. Your sump pump should turn on, pump out the water, and turn off. If this doesn’t happen, you know who to call.

• Look for bulges or leaks in dishwasher and washing machine supply hoses. These hoses suffer a lot of wear and tear with continuous use. Check these hoses for visible signs of damage — as a general rule of thumb, consider replacing these every three-to-five years. Pro tip: stainless steel hoses are less prone to bursting than rubber!

Plumbing maintenance doesn’t just include the inside of your home! Remember to clear debris from your gutters and downspouts to ensure proper drainage away from your property.

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