Spring Plumbing Checklist

We’re just weeks away from spring – and all the to-do lists that come with it. Here’s another one for you to ponder for a system you rarely think about in your New Jersey or Staten Island home: your plumbing.

Keep these tasks in mind in the coming weeks as we transition to the warm weather to come:

Kitchen / bathroom

• Check faucets for leaks; take care of any plumbing repairs immediately.
• Install strainers in all sinks to prevent clogging the drain lines.
• Inspect your toilet tank and bowl for cracks or leaks.
• Make sure toilets flush properly. If a full flush doesn’t happen with minimal effort, it probably means that some parts are worn out from use; contact us for plumbing service to get the problem solved.
• 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.
• Clean mineral deposits from showerheads and aerators (the screw-on tips of your faucets). Unscrew each and soak them in vinegar overnight, then gently scrub them an old toothbrush to remove mineral deposits.

Appliances

• Check the thermostat on your water heater; make sure it is set at no higher than 120°F to get the best balance of energy efficiency and performance (the U.S. Department of Energy recommends 115-120°F).
• 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 Rucci and let us do it for you.
• Consider a water heater upgrade if your unit is more than 10 to 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 a big plumbing problem – stay on top of leaks and other plumbing issues with professional plumbing service from Rucci for your NJ or SI home. Contact us today to learn more, or to schedule an appointment with one of our plumbing experts.