6 Critical Places to Check for a Healthy Plumbing this Spring


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Leaking Taps

Plumbing professionals recommend a routine inspection of your home plumbing system at least twice a year. Doing so would prevent these minor problems from flaring up and help you avoid costly disasters. Springtime is one of the best times to do this when plants are sprouting and the coldness is tucked away. A good way to start is for you to know where you can look for clogged or partially blocked drains and pipe leaks.

Here are the critical places requiring your attention.

Here Are The Critical Places Requiring Your Attention

Toilet

1. Toilet

The toilet is probably the most utilised facility at home. It is also one of the most common places where you can find a leak. You must have heard of the colouring dye test from the list of easy plumbing tips for homeowners in the 10 Spring Plumbing Tips. If food colouring is not available, you can check for excess water that continuously trickles down the bowl when it is not flushed. To identify the cause, remove the lid off the toilet tank. A leak occurs when the water level is above the overflow pipe. If this is the case, you need to replace the inlet valve.

On the other hand, if the water level is below the overflow, it’s time to check your outlet valve. It is best to do a complete cistern service when you have an issue, as all the components are generally the same age and condition. Be also aware of hissing sounds coming from the toilet tank. A likely cause could be a faulty inlet valve. Moreover, If the toilet smells, it is an early sign of a possible blocking in the drains. There are many quick toilet maintenance tips that you can read online to prevent this type of problem. Still, it would be better to consult an expert for complex toilet leaking and clogging problems.

Bathroom Clean

2. Bathroom

Just a few steps from your toilet would be the bathroom. Look upwards and check if there are drips from your shower head. Sometimes, the showerhead can also be clogged with mineral deposits over prolonged use. A quick and effective hack is to wrap it in a plastic bag filled with vinegar and leave this overnight. It should soften up those stubborn clogs.

Slow water pressure in your bathtub faucet is also another indication of a leak. If your bathroom is located upstairs, go to the lower floor and find out if there are wet patches on the ceiling just below where your bathroom is. You may need to call an expert to diagnose the source of the leak.

Kitchen Mixer Tap

3. Kitchen

The sound of the dripping tap is annoying. It also hikes up your water bill. Make sure that the faucet in your kitchen sink is not leaking.  Take a few minutes to uncover the pipes underneath the sink, if you can see some puddles on the floor beneath it. A dishwasher is a home appliance that is taken for granted most of the time. If you see that water will not drain and bubbles appear on the sink, a probable cause may be a clogged pipe under the sink.

Check also if the door latch is misaligned or if the basket is clean. If you see nothing wrong with the things mentioned earlier, you might need to call in a professional local plumber in your area. Ask him to further check the drain valve, belt, timer, pump, motor and other internal parts if a drainage problem persists.

Clogged Drain Washing Machine

4. Laundry Room

A tell-tale sign of a leak is water pooling underneath your washer. Before you run out of clean clothes to wear and a mountain of dirty laundry piles up, it is important to check if your washing machine fills up and drains properly.

Routinely check the hoses for visible leaks. When it comes to the onset of pump clogs, listen for strange laborious sounds coming from the machine during a cycle. If water has difficulty draining, there might be something obstructing your pump and drain pipes.

Rinnai Electric Hot Water System - Plumbing &Amp; Electrical

5. Water Heater Area

As a homeowner, it is crucial to check your water heater. A burst hot water system is the worst-case scenario that you can avoid. It can cause flooding and a collapse of your ceiling. Be vigilant of water stains, rust, and running water at the top and at the bottom. Here are some warning signs that something is not wrong with your hot water system:
  • Popping noise. This is caused by sediment buildup at the bottom of the tank. With this present, it will make your hot water system work harder in heating water, which will eventually lead to overheating.
  • Reddish tap colour. The water rod is already corroded. This will spread to the rest of the parts and make them brittle.
  •  Flooding and high pitch whistle. This could mean that water pressure is building up and the safety mechanisms in place are failing.
If you see any of the conditions present in your hot water system, it will be best to contact a plumbing professional immediately to repair the damage.
Garden Sprinkler

6. Outdoors

Hose Taps

Check the the nozzle and handle of the outdoor spigot for dripping water. Pay special attention to the rubber gaskets inside the hose and sprayer connector. If it is old and worn out, replace these immediately. Always advise family members to turn off the taps after use.

Yard

It is tricky to find the source of a leak in a buried sprinkler irrigation system or underground water lines. It could also hike up your water bills which could indicate the time when the leak started. Immediate signs of a leak are whooshing sounds and cracks in paved areas. If the pipes emit unpleasant odours, this is a sign of a blocked pipe. You can look for wet patches and abnormally lusher areas in your yard to determine the source of the issue.
A preventive measure like a home plumbing inspection can prevent plumbing emergencies that can cost you more in the long run. Contact the Plumbing and Electrical Doctor if you need thorough findings of your overall home plumbing health before the end of the Spring season.

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General Plumbing & Electrical | Hot Water Systems | Blocked Drains | Gas Fitting