St. Patrick’s Day is just a few weeks away! Also, this year, it’s two days before the start of Spring! It’s a beautiful time of the year, and it’s right around the corner! This peaceful and utterly gorgeous time of the year makes people feel rejuvenated as life begins to come back out after the winter. While it’s true that, for lots of people, the weekend after St. Patrick’s Day is the perfect time to get a head start on your Spring cleaning. But, did you know that your home’s plumbing system could also use a little bit of maintenance to prepare for the seasons to come? That’s right, your plumbing system needs just as much Springtime tender love and care as the rest of your home. Fortunately, our team of plumbing specialists at ABQ Plumbing has compiled this list of 7 St. Patrick’s Day plumbing tips to keep your home’s plumbing system running in tip-top shape all year long.
St. Patrick’s Day Plumbing Tips 1 & 2: Clear Out Spouts & Gutters And Review Your Property For Leaks
You should make sure to clear out your gutter and downspouts after a long fall and winter. They could become clogged up with pine needles, leaves, twigs, and other debris. This should help prevent leaks in your home and potential water damage during those upcoming spring showers.
Your outdoor pipes that are attached to sprinklers and faucets could freeze and break during those cold winter months. After the climate warms up, pipes will begin to thaw, and your pipes could show signs of water leaks. If a water leak does end up revealing itself after you turn on your hose or faucets outside, you will want to address those right away with the help of a professional plumber.
Tips 3 & 4: Inspect And Drain Your Water Heater
There could be a chance that you raised the temperature in your water heater during the colder months this past winter. We primarily recommend setting your water heater’s heat to 120 degrees, going any higher than could result in scalding heat.
While checking your temperature, use this opportunity to check your water heater for signs of corrosion and leaks. Check for rust, puddles, or soot around the control panel. If you see any signs of a failing unit, you should contact a plumber right away to come to take a look at it and see if it could be repaired. Remember that water heaters are only built to last around 15 years, so it may be time to have your unit replaced if it is older than that.
Your water heater could have some sediment build-up sitting at the bottom of your water heater, which actually reduces the efficiency of your unit, causing it to wast more energy keeping the water hot. By merely draining your water heater once every year, you could help extend its lifespan. The entire process should not take you more than an hour or two, but the result of a smoother running unit highlights its benefits. If this process seems intimidating, you may always reach out to us, and one of our trusted plumbers could help you drain it today.
Tip 5: Be Sure to Look Under Sinks & Supply Hoses
Check under your sinks and look at the supply hoses that run to your washer, dishwasher, and any other water-using appliances. Some signs that may indicate that you could use the help of a professional plumber include:
- Puddles
- Moisture
- Rust or other signs of a water leak
Remember, leaks have a nasty habit of getting significantly worse over time.
Moreover, even the smallest leaks waste excessive amounts of water, which costs you money. So, if you’ve noticed any of the signs of a leak mentioned above, then don’t hesitate. Contact our team of fast, reliable, and affordable plumbing professionals for help right away.
St. Patrick’s Day Plumbing Tips 6 & 7: Test For Toilet Leaks And Ensure Your Water Shutoff Valves Turn Freely
You should test your toilet for potential leaks by adding food coloring to the inside of your toilet tank. If the water in your toilet bowl begins to turn the color of the food dye within half an hour, you have a toilet leak. Taking the time to replace parts in the toilet tank will save you water and money this year.
Water valves could become hard to turn over time. At least once a year you should take the time to turn off the water valves in your home, and then turn them back on just to keep your valves from getting stuck.
Contact Us Today
Do not hesitate to reach out to our team of skilled plumbers when if you need help completing any of these St. Patrick’s Day plumbing tips. We’re trained and ready to complete any task you need to be done. If you want to improve your plumbing this season, you can always call on our award-winning company to get the job done. What are you waiting for? Contact us here at Albuquerque Plumbing Heating & Cooling today.