Plumbing Spring Maintenance Checklist

Spring Checklist

Warmer weather is on the way. But before you celebrate the first day of spring, there are a few steps to take to prep your plumbing system for significant temperature changes. Follow these four suggestions to ensure that your water pipes and plumbing operate efficiently all season — and year — long!

1. Do A Water Use Audit

Now that winter has passed, it’s a good time to sit down and total your water use and costs.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has created a database of purchase and installation costs for water heating equipment and energy-efficient upgrades. Take the guesswork out of water use costs with this helpful guide: NREL Efficiency Database.

If your water heater is broken, over 15 years old, or repairs will cost more than half of replacement, it’s a good time to consider a system upgrade. Talk to a Ben Franklin technician to determine if a repair or replacement is best. Sometimes, simple improvements such as insulating pipes or flushing your water tank can make the difference.

2. Check for Leaks

Inspecting for leaks is one of the most simple maintenance steps you can take. Make it a point to check faucets and toilets for any leaks at the start of each season. If you do detect a leak, don’t delay installing new fixtures or repairing the leak — it may even lower your water bill.

After inspecting faucets, inspect accessible pipes for evidence of leaks. These are the visible pipes in your basement,  below sinks, and other exposed areas such as gutters and hose connections. Extreme weather can cause pipes to freeze, making spring the ideal time check that winter weather didn’t cause any damage.

3. Schedule a Plumbing Tune-Up

Your water pipes have kept up with plummeting temperatures for months. A spring plumbing tune-up can prevent costly repairs, detect leaks, and address inefficient equipment. Your Benjamin Franklin Plumbing® of Pleasantville technician will check your water furnace, sinks, faucet, exposed pipes, and other critical components of your plumbing system. Now that the ground has thawed, spring is a smart time to consider a sewer line inspection to check for blockage, cracks, and other issues that could result in costly repair if not addressed.

4. Consider an HVAC Protection Plan

How many housecalls did you have to make to your plumber last year? If you find yourself saddled with emergency repairs, DIY projects, broken appliances, and costly utility bills, it might be time to consider a plumbing protection plan. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing® of Pleasantville offers several tiers of protection that include 24/7 emergency service, annual inspections and water heater flush, free service calls, credit toward repairs, and more!