As Old Man Winter makes his exit, homeowners in West Virginia begin thinking about spring cleaning and home maintenance. Cold weather and frozen pipes can wreak havoc on your plumbing system. Childers Air Plumbing & Electric in Beckley advises our customers to perform spring plumbing maintenance to ensure no leaks or other issues that could become costly to repair. Taking care of these tasks can ensure your plumbing system’s efficiency and longevity.
Inspect Your Pipes
Winter weather can be hard on your plumbing system due to the expansion and contraction of water inside your pipes. Pipes can develop small cracks you may not notice right away.
We advise you to examine the pipes under your sinks. Pay careful attention to the pipe joints and look for corrosion. You should also look for signs of leaks, including:
- Increased water bills
- Water stains and wet spots
- Lowered water pressure
- Musty smells
- Dripping sounds
If you notice any of these signs, you may have a leak. Repairing leaks immediately will help prevent further issues from erupting and causing costly home and plumbing damage.
Some leaks can remain hidden for a long time, especially slab leaks. Our plumbers will inspect your pipes for any signs of damage. We will perform pressure testing and use specialized equipment to check for leaks like those that occur under your foundation.
Water Pressure Testing
Water pressure issues can occur for many reasons. Both low and high water pressure can cause problems. If your water pressure is too low, check your faucets and shower heads for signs of mineral buildup. Clean them with a vinegar solution to remove any hardscale minerals.
We recommend a professional plumbing inspection if your water pressure fluctuates. You could have a clogged pipe, leak, or trapped air. A faulty pressure regulator can cause water pressure to rise dangerously high, leading to damage.
Check for Slow Drains and Clogs
Spring is an excellent time to check for sluggish or clogged drains. Run water through your drains to check their speed. Also, check for odors, as they can indicate a clog or another issue deep in the pipes.
If one sink or tub is draining slowly, you may only have a minor clog. If you notice multiple affected drains, the problem could be more serious.
Do not attempt to dislodge the clog with chemical drain cleaners. Doing so can cause pipe interior etching, which weakens pipes and leads to leaks. Childers Air Plumbing & Electric offers drain cleaning services. We recommend scheduling them every one to two years to keep drains flowing smoothly and prevent nasty clogs from developing.
Inspect Your Water Heater
Water heaters work extra hard during the winter due to colder water supply temperatures. They need annual maintenance to keep them heating efficiently. You should have your water heater flushed once a year, and spring is an opportune time.
Flushing involves draining the tank and allowing water to run through to remove sediment. After flushing, we inspect the essential components, including the anode rod, relief valve, dip tube, and drain valve. If you have a gas model, we check the pilot light and test the combustion process to ensure no carbon monoxide leaks.
Examine Your Outdoor Plumbing
We advise checking your outdoor plumbing components as part of your spring maintenance. Irrigation lines, sprinkler systems, hose bibs, and outdoor faucets require maintenance. Freezing temperatures can cause cracks and damage, leading to leaks or improper function.
Turn on your outdoor faucets to check for leaks or lowered water pressure. Look for signs of leaks, like pooling water around your outdoor faucets. You will need professional intervention if you notice signs of problems. Spring is a good time to repair these components before you need them to water your lawn, garden, and flower beds.
Inspect Your Sump Pump
Spring often brings heavy rain in many parts of West Virginia, with May having the highest rain totals. Sump pumps protect your basement from flooding. Now is an excellent time to inspect your pump and ensure it works effectively and efficiently.
You can test your sump pump by pouring water into the pit to see if it turns on. Then, inspect the discharge pipe to ensure water travels away from your home.
Our plumbers at Childers Air Plumbing & Electric recommend cleaning debris from your pump to help prevent clogs from forming. Most sump pumps last around 10 years. If your pump is older than seven years, consider a replacement to avoid needless flooding.
Inspect Your Toilets
Inspect your toilets at least once a year, checking for leaks, cracks, and secure attachments. Test your toilet’s flushing mechanisms with the tank lid off. Ensure the fill valve shuts off properly and the flap closes fully.
You should replace the inner parts of your toilet every three to five years as they wear out. Your toilet should not rock back and forth or leak around the base. If it does, this likely means you need a new wax ring.
Toilets usually last 10 to 15 years. It may be time to seek professional toilet replacement services if yours is older. Replacing your toilet can improve its efficiency and performance.
Check for Sewer Line Problems
Like every part of your plumbing system, your sewer lines need maintenance. As your landscape thaws in spring, the increased groundwater levels can place undue pressure on your sewer lines. The thaw can also shift tree roots and soil, causing further pressure.
Watch for sewer odors and sluggish draining. Your pipes and drains may also make gurgling sounds. Tree roots, as well as hair, grease, and food, can invade and clog your sewer lines.
Childers Air Plumbing & Electric offers camera inspections to help determine what is causing these symptoms. Early detection can help you avoid costly repairs and the danger to your family from exposure to raw sewage.
Inspect Your Washing Machine and Dishwasher Hoses
Most appliance hoses last about three to five years. Over time, they can become worn and vulnerable to leaking. Periodically check your hoses for bulges or cracks and tighten the fittings. We recommend replacing old rubber hoses with braided stainless steel hoses because they are more durable and last longer. While checking your hoses, you should also clean the appliance filters to ensure efficiency.
Schedule a Whole-Home Plumbing Inspection
If you are unsure of your plumbing system’s condition or cannot perform the tasks above, we recommend scheduling a professional plumbing inspection. Our licensed plumbers can check for leaks inside and outside of your home. They will also perform water pressure testing and other valuable tests that ensure the health and safety of your plumbing system.
A professional plumbing check can help you avoid expensive repairs in the future and prepare for any upgrades or necessary component replacements. We recommend scheduling an annual plumbing inspection as a part of your home maintenance plan.
Childers Air Plumbing & Electric offers various plumbing services, including re-piping, drain inspections and cleaning, leak detection, and sump pump repair and replacement. We opened our doors in 1951 as a small family business. Although we have since expanded, our ideals remain the same. We treat our customers like family.
Call our expert plumbers at Childers Air Plumbing & Electric if you need to schedule any of our plumbing services this spring.
