Check The Plumbing! Fall’s Here!

When you’re writing your fall to-do list in the coming weeks, don’t forget to include an important but often overlooked system in your Massachusetts home: the plumbing. Here’s a fall plumbing checklist to make things a little easier for you.

Plumbing Fall Checklist

Kitchen / bathroom

• Check for leaks on all faucets; take care of any plumbing repairs immediately.
• Install drain strainers in all sinks to prevent clogging.
• Inspect your toilet tank and bowl for cracks or leaks.
• Make sure toilets flush properly. If a toilet doesn’t flush correctly, it probably means that some parts are worn out from use; contact us for plumbing service.
• Check toilets for hidden leaks by adding a few drops of food coloring to the toilet tank; if the toilet is leaking, color will appear in the bowl within 30 minutes.
• Remove mineral deposits from showerheads and aerators (the screw-on tips of your faucets) by unscrewing each and soaking them in vinegar overnight; gently scrub them in the morning with an old toothbrush.

Appliances

• Set your water heater thermostat to 120°F to get the best balance of energy efficiency and performance (says the U.S. Department of Energy).
• Drain several gallons from the water heater tank to flush out efficiency-reducing sediment, carefully following manufacturer’s instructions for doing so – or get professional water heater maintenance from FSi and let us do it for you.
• Consider replacing your water heater if your unit is more than 10 or 12 years old; the energy efficiency improvements alone will more than likely pay for the investment in just a few years.
• Check appliance hoses for bulges, leaks, or cracks, repairing or replacing them as needed.

General

• Snake slow drains – especially flood drains in your basement.
• Test run your sump pump in advance of spring storms.
• Check under-sink pipes for leaks and repair as needed.
• Look for slow leaks in your home by taking a reading on your water meter before bedtime; check the meter again then next morning after not using water overnight. If the reading has changed you have a leak that should be repaired.

Outside

• Clear outdoor drains, gutters, downspouts, and plumbing vent pipes.
• Turn on outdoor water; check faucets and hoses to make sure water flows correctly.

Don’t wait for plumbing problems to happen – stay on top of leaks and other issues with professional plumbing service in Greater Springfield, MA from the pros at FSi! Contact us today to learn more.