Plumbing Tips for the Spring Season

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With spring fast approaching we enter the phase of some spring cleaning for our plumbing systems. The warmer weather helps make it a grand opportunity to clean out some of those pipes and drains so that you can avoid future damages. Nothing is better than when you know your plumbing system is in good health. And since so many people forget about their plumbing, they begin to deal with issues once the warm weather comes in. However, staying proactive and maintaining your plumbing system will go such a long way, and you can avoid potential problems such as a damaging leak or drainage failure. Stay on top of spring cleaning and use these tips for your plumbing needs.

Why Listen to Tips from Gold Star?

Your plumbing system is just as important as every other system in your home. It is important to maintain it and make sure you are doing whatever you can to keep it running. Finding issues or problems early can save you thousands of dollars in avoided repair costs. That is why here at Gold Star we care about your home and the money you’re saving. All our contractors and technicians are always around to help especially when it comes to your safety. High-quality performance and service are what we always bring to our customers whether it is an installation, repair, or replacement. So, trust us when it comes to these tips because we strive to bring you the best advice and plumbing service around.

Sump Pump Check

For those of you who have a basement, your sump pump should be tested regularly to ensure the safety and performance of your home and plumbing. You can test your sump pump with a few buckets of water to make sure it’s working properly. There should be an immediate response to pump out of the drainage, and if not then it needs to be checked.

Managing the Water Heater

Before you finally start going outside and enjoying that small bit of sunshine, don’t forget to check your water heater. Since your water heater most likely sits in your garage all day, you might forget to check it as it runs for such a long time. The result is it will suddenly break, often due to zero maintenance. When you go to take care of your water heater, make sure the temperature is set no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Second, your heater should be flushed and drained yearly to remove any sediment deposits at the bottom of the tank it might have accumulated over time. The apparatus should also be inspected for any potential leaks at the top or bottom of the tank. This will tell you whether the tank is about to fail or growing in weakness.

Break Down Mineral Deposits

For those, unfortunately, dealing with hard water, mineral deposits will be up quickly, plugging up faucet heads and shower heads. To take advantage of your plumbing skills, try soaking a bag of vinegar and tie it around the faucet head. This is a natural way to get rid of hard water and breaking down deposits, increasing water flow for your plumbing system.

Buy Strainers for your Plumbing

Plumbing and drainage pipes work best when waste water is the only thing go through and down them. When other material gets into your plumbing and drainage system, then there becomes a problem. Buying strainers, which are cheap and effective, will save you the worry of having a blockage. Strainers are a great prevention method of stopping blockage material from entering the pipe in the first place. Appliances such as your kitchen sink and laundry cleaning sink should always have a strainer at the bottom. These units see the most material getting washed down the pipe. This will save you so much time on your plumbing.

Check Toilets

Over time, the ceramic that is used to build your toilet bowl can crack over time. The bowl doesn’t just contain water inside it but also has water in the tank as well. The seals of feed pipes can age on the toilet too, and if both areas see small leaks get bigger, it can create a major surface area damage. One way to check any leaks while doing your spring plumbing inspection is to put food dye in the water tank. If the bowl’s water changes color without flushing, or if you find stains on the floor after an hour, then there’s a problem. Call a plumber to fix the problem before causing further damage.

Clear the Drains

Of course, we can’t forget all the food, hair, and washed-off material in your drains. These kinds of things are the biggest contributors to plugged drains. Every drain should be checked to see if the water goes down it quickly. If you notice the water rises back up with an extended flow, then there may be some blockage. One way to solve this is to simply purchase a cheap tool called a Drain Ripper. It’s a long plastic strip with a handle and inserts into the drain where it saws up any soft material. The water will flow better and in the meantime, you completed a quick and easy plumbing job.
Make some time for some spring cleaning and take care of your plumbing system – call Gold Star Service today!