A subject that we often bring up during the end of the winter and the beginning of spring is arranging for maintenance for your air conditioning system. This is a vital part of seeing that the AC is ready to handle another hot summer.
Your HVAC system isn’t the only part of your house that requires check-ups as spring begins. You might not realize how much stress your plumbing undergoes during the winter. Although your pipes, drains, and other parts of the plumbing don’t necessarily need professional inspections and maintenance each spring, it’s a wise idea to go through a few checks on your own to locate where there may be plumbing issues. This way you can schedule service in time to head off more serious problems.
Below are some of the most important checks to make for your plumbing in Burlington, VT as the first day of spring (Monday, March 20) closes in.
Is the Water Heater in Good Shape?
The water heater needs to have a professional maintenance inspection each year. Usually this is done in the fall. If you didn’t have the job done in fall, however, now is as good a time as any to arrange for it. (Never skip a year!) But even if you already had water heater maintenance done in the fall, check around the tank to see if there are any indications of leaks. A water heater goes through a great deal of stress during the winter, and it can lead to troubles that must be corrected as soon as possible.
Run a test on the sump pump
Sump pumps are a key part of protecting the basement or crawlspace of a house from flooding—and the big season for flooding in Vermont and Northeast New York is the spring. To see that the sump pump is ready for any spring floods, pour a bucket of water into the sump (the water collection pit). If the pump doesn’t automatically turn on and drain out the water, it’ll need repairs as soon as you can arrange for them.
Check for leaky faucets and under-sink pipes
Leaky faucets are a much bigger problem than you may think they are. The amount of water a leaky faucet wastes over only a month is enough to add up to a big bump on your water bills. And any leaks that are occurring under sinks from pipes will contribute to water damage and the growth of mold and mildew. If you notice either problem occurring, have plumbers help you out.
Inspect the drains
Drains can develop clogging problems over the winter, in particular floor drains that can collect gravel and debris. If there are bad smells coming from any of the drains in your house, pour water down them to see if the problem is a dried p-trap. If the smells persist, have plumbers help you with drain cleaning or drain repair services. When any drain is draining slower than normal, you should also arrange for plumbers to snake or hydro-jet the drains.
Red Rock Mechanical LLC—Serving the Northwest Vermont and Plattsburgh, NY areas for over 23 years.
