With the 2016 spring season just a couple of weeks away, we thought it would be a good time to share some spring plumbing tips with our customers. Plus, not only are they spring cleaning tips, but you can also think of them as tips that will help keep from having a plumbing emergency on your hands!

When it comes to your bathrooms and kitchens:

  1. Investigate faucets for leaks or drips. If there are some, you need to make repairs immediately.
  2. Guarantee that all drains have strainers to block debris, hair, or soap from entering and then clogging your drains.
  3. Examine your toilets for leaks. You can do this by adding a handful of food coloring to the toilet tank. If the color is gone after a half an hour, it is likely that your toilet is leaking.
  4. Move the water supply valve under each sink to help prevent it from getting stuck in the future.

In regards to your home's appliances:

  1. Guarantee your water heater is set to the correct temperature. In fact, it shouldn't be any higher than 120*F.
  2. Drain your water heater tank to flush out sediment. If the sediment is left to build-up over time, it could negatively impact the efficiency of your water heater.
  3. If any of your home's appliances are over 15-years-old, it might be time to consider shopping around for some new ones. Inevitably, the older an appliance is, the more of a negative impact it will have on your energy and/or water bills.

Some things to check outside include:

  1. Your downspouts, drains, and gutters. You need to make sure they are free of debris and clean.
  2. Your plumbing vents. Remove any bird nests that may have popped up there during the late winter.
  3. Check all of your outdoor faucets and hoses for leaks.

If you are really looking forward to having zeros issues with your plumbing systems and/or home appliances this spring season, you should take all of what we have listed above into consideration. And, if you feel weary about performing any of the above tasks, you can always call us here at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing!