This spring, make sure that you are proactive about the plumbing around your home. With a little care and attention, you can continue to ensure that all the plumbing in your home runs as effectively as with as little issue as possible. Here are four spring maintenance tasks to help take care of your plumbing system.
Work Out Your Water Supply Valves
Under each of your sinks and for each of your toilets is a water supply valve. These valves allow you to turn your water supply off in case of an emergency or in case of a repair.
If you never use these valves though, they can get stuck and be hard to use and turn. It is a good idea at least once a year to turn your water supply valves to ensure that they continue to function properly and to ensure you are able to use them if an emergency should occur.
You should also turn the water supply valve for your entire home on and off. This is the one you turn off in the event of a major emergency or repair. It should be located where the water comes into your home. Make sure that you test this water supply
Check Your Water Heater Temperature Setting
Next, check the temperature that you have your water heater set to. You don't want to have your water heater set too high; this can run out your energy bill. Setting your water heater too high can also lead to scalding when using your water.
If you feel that your water heater is set too high, turn it down. Your water heater should be marked with the minimum and maximum temperature range. Turn it down closer to the minimum and see if you and your family can handle a little less heat. It will help protect your water heater and will also help save you some money on your energy bill.
Flush Out Your Water Heater
Over time, sediment from your water can build up in your water heater. That is why it is a good idea to flush out your water heater at least once a year. To flush out your water heater, you are going to want to put a bucket under your vehicle's water heater tank. Then, carefully open up the drain and allow some water to come out. Water as well as sediment should flow into your bucket. You may want to have a few buckets on hand, or be prepared to open and close the drainage valve as you empty your bucket.
Doing this at least once a year will help reduce corrosion and wear to your water tank.
Flush Drains You Don't Use Frequently
If you have drains around your home that you don't use on a regular basis, such as floor drains in your basement or an extra sink in your garage that you don't use regularly, you are going to want to flush out those drains this spring. Take a gallon of water and pour it down the drain.
This will help remove any water and debris that is in the drain. That will help ensure that your drains don't start to stink. This is also a good way to test drains and make sure that they work.
This spring, give your plumbing system a little attention. Turn your water supply valves to your faucets and your home on an off to ensure that they are still functioning properly. Check the temperature on your water heater and maybe turn it down, and then flush the sediment out of your water heater. Finally, flush out the drains that you don't use on a regular basis to reduce odor and ensure that they are still working properly.
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