15 easy plumbing tips for the spring season

The year 2014 is still trudging through the first part of May, and the yearly event of spring cleaning is surely upon many of us. Now dabbling with drapes and cleaning your carpets is simple enough to manage. But we should also give our attention to those ‘behind the scenes’ plumbing scenarios, especially when it comes to our kitchens, bathrooms and appliances.

So, without further ado, let us take a quick gander at fifteen such elementary tips one should follow when making sure their house plumbing is working in an efficient manner.

For Kitchens and Bathrooms –

Tip 1 – Drips and leaks are unfriendly companions (excuse the oxymoron) of the faucet. Consequently, the first tip automatically entails to check for such leaks, and repair them ASAP for saving your precious water.

Tip 2 – Of course, leaking is not just limited to your faucets. The next major arena of water wastage is the water closet/toilet. Fortunately, there is a very easy method to check if your toilet is leaking – just add a dash of food coloring to the toilet tank. And if the color makes its presence felt in the bowl within 20-30 mins – yes; sadly, your toilet is leaking.

Tip 3 – While you are at it, also make sure your flush is working in an effective manner. The thumb’s rule is – you shouldn’t have to hold on to the flush handle or adjust it for an uniform water flow. And, if that is the case, you should opt for newer tank parts to replace the worn-out ones.

Tip 4 – Sometimes hardened caulk, mineral deposits or even rust can jam the rarely-used water supply valves underneath the water closet and sinks. So, you should rotate and tinker with them to make sure they are working in a proper way (instead of just ‘sticking’).

Tip 5 – Drain strainers are a great way to stop the clogging of your drains from unpleasant stuff like soap, hair clots and dirt. You can also check out this tutorial on how to unclog you sink in simple ways.

For Appliances and Heating Devices –

Tip 1 – The internal shell of a water heater is susceptible to corrosion because of clinging sediments that are generally deposited at the bottom of the device. These deposits reduce the energy efficiency and the general effectiveness of the heater. As a solution to the predicament , you can try draining out some volume of water so as to clean and flush away most of the sediments.

Tip 2 – Since we are talking about water heater, you should also take care of the contraption during its working sessions. For example, a temperature north of 120 degrees Fahrenheit should be avoided. Moreover, you should consider purchasing for a brand new product, if your ‘ole’ water heater has passed its 10-15 years anniversary.

Tip 3 – Leaks can also occur in kitchen appliance components, like your dishwasher or washing machine hose. You can easily replace the affected item and remember – stainless steel hoses are sturdier, durable and thus more effective.

Tip 4 – Always try to clean your washing machine’s lint trap (the sock-like component placed along the internal recess, that prevents lint from the fabrics getting caught in the drain). Moreover, you can improve upon the drainage scope by installing a wire trap filter at the end section of the hose that drains the washer.

Tip 5 – Summer is coming! Get your air conditioner serviced, as the most likely case is – it is not operating at its optimized efficiency, which in turn is making a hole in your energy bills. And, if you think your dastardly air conditioner is seriously burning up your savings, do give a gander at these alternatives.

For Other Scenarios –

Tip 1 – Winter had come and gone, and it might have left its ominous mark by cracking your hose bibs and water supply pipe with trapped frozen water. So, always double check for leaks and splits before turning on the bib. And, in case the pipe or the bibs have cracks, do not hesitate to make an appointment with your local plumber.

Tip 2 – Take care of your sump pump for some ‘hard work’ down in the basement. And, if it has not been used for some time, start by testing out the pump with a few buckets of water being poured into the sump pit. The sump pump should get activated, allow the flow/discharge of water, and then get shut off on its own.

Tip 3 – Yes, there are flood alarms, just like smoke alarms! These handy battery-powered contraptions go off when they come in contact with water. So, it is always a safe ploy to have the devices installed, at least in the more vulnerable areas of your home – like basement and bathrooms.

Tip 4 – Make sure that your home’s exterior drainage components like yard drains, gutters and downspouts are clog-free and clean. This would surely help during those wet months after the summer.

Tip 5 – Lastly, while you are busy doing your spring cleaning, you can give your trusted plumber the freedom to have a thorough walk-through of your house. As they say – it is better to be safe than sorry!