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Now that Spring has arrived, you may be thinking about whether you need any maintenance work on your plumbing system. This can involve several tasks around your home.
What Does Maintaining my Plumbing System Entail?
There are several things you should do to maintain your plumbing system in preparation for Spring. We have listed the most important of those below.
- Test your sump pump.
- Check for leaky piping.
- Check for leaky toilets.
- Changes in water pressure.
- Check all appliances.
- Check your outdoor water and drainpipes.
- Maintain your water heater.
If you have a basement, you will probably have a sump pump. Water tends to drain into your basement during a heavy storm. Therefore, a properly functioning sump pump is of vital importance.
If you see signs of rust, it may be time to replace the pump. Most sump pumps last for ten years. If your pump is older than that, it is prone to malfunctions. Sump pumps operate by means of a float switch. When the water rises to a preset level, the float switch should engage the pump. The easiest way to test this is to use a bucket to fill the sump. If the pump does not automatically engage and pump the water out, it may be time to replace the pump.
If you have access to the water meter, you can check for leaks. All water meters have registers on their tops. The register is the dial face that may look like a clock. All water meters have a “low flow indicator” on the register. This indicator is designed to spin when there is a tiny bit of water flowing through the meter.
What you should do first is turn off all water inside your home. Once all the water has been turned off, go to the meter, and look at the low flow indicator. If it is spinning, then you will know that there is a leak somewhere in your water line.
Inspecting a toilet for signs of leakage is a simple process. Look underneath the tank to see whether any water is dripping out. Another sign of a leak is when the toilet runs constantly.
If you notice that your water pressure has changed, the process is the same as checking for leaky pipes.
Inspecting any appliance that uses water is like that of a toilet. You will need to check for leaks in the icemaker supply line, as well as the supply lines underneath each sink.
Checking your outdoor plumbing and drainage system is more involved than you might think. This system includes any exposed piping, faucets, roofing, gutters, and downspouts. You should clear your roof, gutters, and downspouts of any debris. Outdoor faucets and pipes are subjected to the cold weather during the winter. If they freeze during the winter, any water in them will expand. When the outside temperature rises above freezing, the ice melts, and the items contract. This expansion and contraction over time can cause a crack that cause leaks.
The last item on your list is your water heater. As with the other appliances, you will need to check for leaks. If you hear something that sounds like pebbles bouncing around inside the water heater, that is a sign of mineral buildup. This is due to your water being “hard”, which means it has a high mineral content. If your water heater is at least 15 years old, it may be time to replace it.
What Do I Do if I Find Any Problems with My Plumbing?
If you encounter any problems with your system, it is best to contact a licensed plumber. Licensed plumbers are trained and equipped to repair or replace any part of your plumbing system.
The easiest way to find a licensed plumber is by searching the internet. You can use search terms such as “Darien IL plumbing company”, “Darien IL plumbers near me”, or “Darien IL best plumbing companies”.
If you find LaCassa Plumbing in your search, please give us a call! We will be happy to come out and give you an estimate of any necessary work. Thank you for your interest in LaCassa Plumbing!