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Spring is about a month away, which means it’s time to think more about building up that spring cleaning list and checking a few of those items off the list as soon as possible.

One area of your home that always needs a spring checkup is plumbing, especially after coming out of the winter season. In an ideal world, each area of your home’s plumbing will work like a charm when needed – but it’s best not to leave any of that to chance.

So, here are a few steps you should take to make sure your home plumbing is ready for the new season ahead.

Let’s talk kitchens and bathrooms

When it comes to plumbing, the first rooms that come to mind for most homeowners are their kitchen and their bathrooms. Here is a rundown of all the areas and plumbing parts in those rooms that homeowners should take a look at to make sure everything is in working order.

Inspect faucets and connections for leaks or water pressure issues

Before looking at anything else, take a look at the faucets in your kitchen and bathrooms to make sure they are not leaking anywhere or have low water pressure when the water is turned on.

This is something that should be done throughout the year, but it’s even more important if you are coming out of a long, cold winter. If temperatures dropped too low and stayed that way, then pipes could have frozen at some point. This can cause both water pressure problems and leaks in other parts of your home’s plumbing.

If you see any issues, then it’s a good idea to contact a plumber to get the repairs completed as soon as possible.

Inspect the toilet for leaks

While you’re looking at the faucet area in your home’s bathrooms, it’s probably a good idea to give the toilet a once over to make sure it is operating correctly.

Obviously, you will want any toilet leaks addressed, but you should also make sure it flushes right and the tank holds water as it should. Ensure that there is enough water flow when you are flushing, too.

Inspect the water heater

Now it’s time to go downstairs or to wherever your water heater is installed to give that all-important home appliance a thorough onceover.

If there is any sign of leaking or inability for it to bring water to temperature, then it may be time for a repair call. And, if your home’s water heater is in that 10 to 15 years old range, then it could also be time to plan for a replacement.

In either instance, you should talk to a qualified plumbing professional.

But in addition to checking out how the water heater is performing, now would be a great time to have the unit flushed. This is something that should be done annually.

Flushing the water heater in your home can work out all the dirt and grime that might gather at the base, too. If left alone, this grime buildup can lead to other issues, including corrosion that can harm the unit’s overall performance.

Inspect the sump pump

If your home has one, then make sure to add a sump pump inspection to your spring cleaning to-do list.

While you are looking it over, grab several buckets of water and pour them into the pit that it sits in. If it’s working correctly, then the sump pump will turn on quickly, clear out the water and then turn off right away.

If the sump pump does not turn on, can’t discharge the water easily or doesn’t seem to turn off correctly, then it’s likely you need to have that looked at by a professional to keep your basement from flooding in spring.

Time to go outside

Not all of your plumbing checkups for spring are inside the house.

Check outdoor hose faucets

Hopefully you remembered to disconnect any garden hoses outside before freezing temperatures settled in. Not doing so could lead to frozen and damaged pipes, which likely will lead to a watery mess inside the home.

However, even if you did disconnect hoses, you still will want to check the faucets, often referred to as hose bibs, to make sure they are not leaking and the water is flowing through them without trouble.

Inspect for other outdoor water flow issues

Winter can do a number on the exterior of the home. Take a walk around the perimeter of your home and make sure your gutters and downspouts are still sending all water far enough away from your home so as not to cause issues back inside.

It’s also a good idea to take the time this spring to clear out and clean gutters of any debris that may have built up over winter. Water from heavy rains that may come your way this spring will flow more freely in gutters rather than spill over too close to your house.

Consider a complete home inspection

It is never a bad idea to have a plumber visit your home for a closer inspection. Many plumbing issues can go unseen before making themselves known in a very wet, often very expensive manner.

Plus, just one hidden leak can cause serious issues in your home, including water damage and mold. Leaks can also increase water bills very quickly.

A plumber will be able to make sure all is well and in working order at your house. By scheduling a quick checkup now, you could be saving yourself a lot of time and money down the road.

Look to Comfortec for your home plumbing needs

Comfortec Plumbing, Heating and Cooling provides quality service when you need it most. When searching for a plumber, you can trust that our licensed professionals will handle whatever issues you may have quickly and professionally. All of our work is backed up with our Quality Workmanship Guarantee.

From repairs to appliance installation, call Comfortec for your plumbing needs as we head into spring toll free at 888-362-2106.