Living in Seattle, WA means you experience some pretty warm temperatures during the spring and summer. Preparing your plumbing for this hotter weather is crucial to your home’s overall functionality and comfort. Here are some key maintenance tips you can use to keep your gutters, pipes, faucets and drains ready for the heat.
Clean the Gutters
Your gutters play a large role in your home’s overall plumbing. They direct rainwater away from the foundation. You never want water to pool at the base of a home because it can enter the basement and cause flooding. Poorly maintained gutters can also result in water runoff that damages the soil around the sewer lines. The most common causes of gutter problems are clogs from the buildup of dirt, leaves and twigs. Cleaning the gutters in the spring will ensure proper drainage and prevent water damage to your plumbing and foundation.
Check the Home for Water Leaks
Water leaks are a major problem for any home, especially leaks that go unnoticed for extended periods of time. Most water leaks happen because of corrosion, broken pipes or faulty seals. Fortunately, you can check for leaks during the spring to keep your home’s plumbing in tip-top shape.
To check for leaks, start by turning off all water-using appliances. This includes the washing machine, dishwasher and every faucet. Next, go to the water meter and take a reading. After a few hours, check the meter again. It should have the same exact reading. If it doesn’t, this means the home has a leak.
Another way to check for leaks is to monitor your water bills closely. If you don’t change your water-using habits, the bills should stay roughly the same each month. When you see a spike, this could indicate a leak.
You can also check for leaks by looking for clues under sinks, around toilets and near appliances. If you see any stains, mold growth or peeling paint, go ahead and give us a call. We have special tools and expert skills, so we can find and fix leaks fast.
Test Outdoor Faucets
A lot of people use their outdoor faucets much more during spring and summer to do things like gardening, filling swimming pools, washing cars and more. If you plan to use your outdoor faucets, you’ll need to get them ready now.
To test the faucets, turn them on one at a time and check for a steady stream of water. If it comes out weakly or drips, the faucet might have a clog or broken valve. When a hose bib has a crack in it, you’ll need to replace it. We can inspect faulty outdoor faucets to determine which ones require simple fixes or complete replacements.
Examine Hoses and Sprinklers
The hoses you hook to outdoor faucets can cause plumbing problems if they leak. You should check them for cracks and loose connections during the spring. If you have a sprinkler system, you’ll need to check it, too. Sprinklers can waste a lot of water if not properly installed and maintained. We can look at all hoses and sprinklers to make sure they work efficiently.
Test Water Pressure
Testing water pressure is a fairly easy and straightforward task. Just attach a water pressure gauge to an outdoor faucet or hose bib. Next, turn on the water and check the gauge’s reading. It should say a pressure of anywhere between 40-60 psi. If it’s over 80 psi, this is not good and increases the risk of leaks. If it’s below 40 psi, you might experience low water flow while washing your hands, taking showers or doing dishes. Having a plumber take a look is the best thing to do if you get an abnormal reading.
Schedule Professional Plumbing Maintenance
DIY plumbing maintenance can be helpful, but certain tasks need professional skills. A plumber can check for hidden leaks and also do a water heater inspection. If the water heater has any sediment buildup, we can flush it. Evaluating pipes for signs of deterioration will help pinpoint potential weak spots. Ultimately, regular plumbing inspections and maintenance help detect issues early, which protects your system from premature failure.
We specialize in helping homeowners create comfortable living spaces with fully functional plumbing. In addition to maintenance, we offer sewer cleaning and trenchless sewer repair. Call Rush Plumbing Inc now to schedule a spring plumbing tune-up for your home in Seattle.
