The summer season is fast approaching and with it all of the amazing activities like backyard barbecues, water fights, and gardening. Like anything else in your home, the plumbing system requires care and attention to function at an optimal level. During the summer, your home’s plumbing will be required to not only provide water for the inside of your home but for the outside as well in the form of sprinklers and hoses. During the spring or when the weather starts to turn warmer, it’s always a good idea to inspect your indoor and outdoor plumbing systems to make sure they are ready for the season. Before you run out to grab the lawnmower, think about the plumbing in and around your home that has probably taken a beating this winter. Follow the steps below for some easy tips on how to inspect your home's plumbing and prepare for the summer ahead.
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Inspect Faucets
Check your indoor faucets and outdoor faucets. Since you use your faucets every day, it may be difficult to notice a gradual change in water pressure, but take this opportunity to look critically at the pressure and whether or not it settles out after a few seconds. If the pressure remains low it could signify a leak in the system and this could cost you on your water bill.
Clear Your Gutters and Storm Drains
Make sure your gutters and storm drains are clear. All of your gutters should be cleared of debris like leaves and dirt that can gather up with melting snow. Check the integrity of the downspouts and determine if they are draining towards the street or into your yard where they could create swampy areas.
Check for Leaking Pipes
Check the exposed plumbing. This goes for pipes running through the basement, crawlspace, and any pipes outside the home. What you are looking for is anything obvious that would suggest leaky pipes or a rupture in the system. One of those signs is moisture from a leaking pipe creating a patch of moss or mold. Sometimes we can’t see the leak directly but that does not mean it isn’t there. Should you find a leak and require Colorado Springs emergency plumbing repair, call our experienced technicians right away!
Inspect Your Toilets for Leaks
Check all of the toilets for leaks. There is a pretty simple test most people in the plumbing industry can do using food coloring or some other type of liquid pigment. Lift the tank cover off and put a half dozen drops of your chosen color in. If after a few minutes you see that same color start to bleed into the bowl then you most definitely have a leak. The next step after this would be to get the flapper replaced, which we do not recommend you do on your own. Give us a call here at Jolly Plumbing and we will make sure the correct flapper is installed in such a way as to prevent future leaks and keep your toilet from running.
Flush Your Water Heater
If you are comfortable flushing the water heater yourself then we recommend doing a full flush of your water heating system. This process is generally pretty quick and will remove any buildup that has collected over time. If not, we offer many water heater services and can help you with the process.
Inspect Hoses and Valves
Hoses provide us with a quick water source that allows for watering the garden and the lawn. What most homeowners don’t realize is that the hose and the valve connected to it are subject to leaking and flooding. Most leaks can be traced back to the aging rubber of the hose, but sometimes the issue runs even deeper into the plumbing of the home. To check for leaks go around the outside of your home and turn on each valve to full pressure. If you see water trickling or spraying from the hose then it will need to be repaired or replaced before the problem becomes worse. If the leak is coming from the valve itself, then the solution could be as simple as tightening the bolt on the valve or the more expensive option of replacing the whole unit.
Check the Sprinkler System
Some homeowners still employ the use of a hose-mounted sprinkler to do the job of watering their lawn in the summer, but the majority of homes now use a sprinkler system to automate the task. In the beginning of the summer before your sprinkler system is calibrated it’s important to check on a few key things, like broken sprinkler heads, debris in the sprinkler heads, or any leaks or pooling that could flood the yard.
It’s easy to run over a sprinkler head with your car or even a lawnmower, and even if the sprinkler head doesn’t look visibly broken it can still cause a lot of leakage when the system is under full pressure. Debris in the sprinkler head is easy to spot and can be quickly cleaned by hand or with a small screwdriver. As for leaks and pooling of water in the yard, just be sure to keep an eye on your sprinkler system the first couple of times that you use it and make note of any problem areas.
Check the Sewer Line
After the ground thaws from winter, the pipes underneath your home will begin to expand to compensate for the new temperatures. Sewer lines are designed for repeated use year after year but that doesn’t mean that cracks and problem areas won’t develop, especially during the summer when the kids are home from school and using the facilities much more.
Contact an Experienced Colorado Springs Plumbing Company Near You
The steps above are simply some things you can do as the homeowner to prepare for summer, but if you are uncomfortable doing anything listed above, our team of highly qualified Colorado Springs plumbers is ready to jump in and take care of any needs you may have. Give us a call today!
Jolly Plumbing is your local plumbing and heating company. We promise to offer you upstanding customer service, experienced workers, and a job done right the first time. If you have questions about your water heater, have a leak, or need a replacement, we are here to help. Call Jolly Plumbing today for any Colorado Springs plumbing issues.
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