Spring cleaning is an opportunity to ensure your home’s plumbing system is ready for the increased workload ahead. Let’s explore the important items that should be on every homeowner’s checklist.
Measure Water Pressure
The ideal way to test water pressure is with a gauge, which your plumber will have. You can also do it with a bucket and a stopwatch. Test pressure from multiple fixtures throughout your home. Low hot water pressure can indicate a problem with your home’s water heater. Low water pressure throughout a home may indicate a bad pressure regulator, a partially closed water valve, or a damaged pipe. Local water pressure issues typically indicate some kind of blockage.
Evaluate Water Hardness
If you don’t know how hard your water is, spring is an excellent time to test it. Hard water has a high concentration of calcium carbonate. Calcium carbonate can become limescale, and scale decreases the energy efficiency of water-using appliances and shortens their lifespans. Scale also builds up in pipes, which can lower water pressure and corrode them. If you find you have hard water, there are several solutions. You can install anti-scale devices for specific appliances, and the other option is to install a whole-house water softener.
Test Water Quality
Spring is also an excellent time to test your water quality whether you have well or municipal water. Potential issues include particulate matter, chemicals, gases, parasites, and pathogens. If your water isn’t as clean as you’d like, there are solutions. Point-of-use (POU) water filtration systems can provide healthier water from specific taps or for a coffee machine. Point-of-entry (POE) water purifiers can provide healthier water throughout your entire home. If you need both whole-home water softening and purification, consider a reverse osmosis (RO) system.
Flush or Descale Your Water Heater
Annual water heater service for basic maintenance can lower your operating costs and extend the life of your system. Tank water heaters need regular flushing to remove sediment from the tank. A plumber must also check the inside sacrificial anode rod and replace it periodically. Tankless water heaters require regular descaling to remove limescale. A plumber must also check its air and water filters and clean and replace them periodically.
Service Sump Pumps
Many homeowners rely on sump pumps to keep their crawl spaces and ground levels dry. Sump pumps require annual maintenance, and spring is a good time for it. A maintenance check ensures your pump made it through the winter rainy season well and will be ready for the next one. During the service, your plumber will perform a multi-point inspection and clean the equipment. That includes both the primary pump and the backup pump. In some years, repairs may be necessary, such as replacing the float switch or rebuilding the motor.
Check Drains
Fill up a gallon bucket with tap water and pour it down your drains. That includes bathtubs, showers, sinks, and floor drains. Drainage should occur quickly and smoothly. If you notice any issues, you should schedule a camera inspection. Issues to watch for include unpleasant odors, gurgling sounds, and slow drainage. Note that, if you have deeper blockages, you may experience gurgling toilets and fluctuating toilet bowl water levels.
Replace Faucet Aerators and Clean Showerheads
Aerators and showerheads can build up gunk through normal usage. With aerators, it’s a good idea to replace them once or twice a year, depending on usage. The easiest way to clean showerheads is to break them down and soak them in vinegar. Soak them for at least an hour and overnight if you can. If your showerhead routinely builds up a lot of scale, consider upgrading to one with an integrated water softener and filter.
Inspect Outdoor Faucets and Hose Bibs
If you turn off the outdoor faucets during the winter, now is the time to turn them back on. If you use faucet covers, remove, clean, and store them. Test each outdoor faucet and look for leaks and other water pressure issues. Connect your hoses and make sure they all have a tight seal. If you have an underground sprinkler system, have a plumber inspect it before use.
Schedule a Spring Plumbing Inspection in Palm Desert
Righty Roo Plumbing & Air is a family-owned plumbing contractor in Palm Desert, CA that serves homeowners throughout the Coachella Valley. Our licensed plumbers perform maintenance, repairs, and plumbing inspections, including camera ones. We also install and service water heaters, water softeners, kitchen and bathroom fixtures, and much more. Call today or contact Righty Roo Plumbing & Air online to learn more about our services and to schedule an appointment.
