When the cold winter weather finally gives way to some nice sunshine in the spring, many homeowners are starting to do preventative maintenance tasks around their homes. While you may be concerned about getting professional maintenance service for your HVAC system and cleaning out those gutters, you don’t want to forget about your plumbing system. Here are some of the most common plumbing problems that you may experience in the springtime.
Sump Pump Issues
As the weather starts to heat up outside, flooding isn’t uncommon. If your home has an integrated sump pump to help remove excess flood waters that come in during the spring season, it’s best to give it some maintenance service early on so that it will function effectively when you need it most. Some common issues that you may experience are jammed float switches, debris in the impeller, a clogged discharge line, and a lack of power. It can be extremely helpful to check over your sump pump and remove any debris that may be in the pit. Then, go ahead and pour in some water to ensure that your sump pump turns on and that water comes out of the discharge line.
Damaged Outdoor Spigots and Piping
When temperatures get cold during the winter months, any water that’s left inside the piping for your outdoor fixtures can freeze up. Unfortunately, you may not realize there’s an issue until spring when you go to use your hose for the first time. When you turn on the water for that location, you may notice that your spigot is leaking or that there may be a crack or other defect in your piping.
A great way to avoid this issue is to always ensure that you’re draining the piping leading to the outdoors. If you can’t drain it, make sure that you leave the spigot in the open position after shutting off the valve to that location so that the frozen water can expand. This will help minimize any damage that will happen to the outside spigot or its piping.
Sewer Issues
One pesky problem that you may have to deal with in the spring is a problem with your main sewer line. As the ground unfreezes, it may affect the overall positioning of your sewer line. Additionally, if your sewer line already has a crack that’s allowing some of your wastewater to seep out, tree roots are likely to find those cracks to get the natural fertilization that your wastewater supplies.
Because tree roots are more active in the springtime as the tree comes out of dormancy, you’re going to notice more clogging of your sewer line. A great way to help prevent this issue is to avoid placing trees near your sewer line and to invest in regular drain clearing techniques, like hydro jetting service, that can remove those tree roots to prevent clogging. If the structure of pipes are already damaged, you’ll need to get them repaired first.
High Water Pressure
The springtime can lead to pressure fluctuations in your local municipal water supply. This is due to increased water demands and excessive snow melt. When these pressure fluctuations happen, high-pressure water can seep into your home and end up damaging your piping as well as your appliances. One of the best ways to help control the pressure of water in your home is to install a pressure-reducing valve. This will help to ensure that any water coming into your home is decreased to a safe pressure before it enters your piping, plumbing fixtures, and appliances.
Water Heater Issues
One issue that you may run into in the springtime is that your water heater isn’t operating very efficiently. In a lot of cases, this is due to mineral buildup inside the tank. When excess calcium and magnesium come into contact with the metal components of your system, they can start to corrode its inside, and the minerals themselves can build up inside the tank.
A great way to help restore the efficiency of your water heater and extend its overall longevity is to get professional flushing service. This is where any of the sediment built up inside the tank is safely removed.
Leaking Appliance Hoses
It’s common for a lot of washing machine hoses to be made out of simple rubber material. Unfortunately, rubber is susceptible to getting brittle over time. As we transition from keeping our homes nice and warm during the winter to being colder during the summer, that rubber will go from being flexible to brittle and can start to crack. Cracks can lead to water leaks, and they can be damaging to your home.
One of the best ways to help prevent this issue is to upgrade to a braided metal hose and get rid of your rubber hoses altogether. If you don’t want to upgrade, be mindful of checking your washing machine in the spring to look for any bulges that are present within the hose or any leakage that may be happening.
Outdoor Drain Clogs
Having outdoor drains can be a great way to help divert excess water away from your property and prevent water intrusion from happening in your basement. During the spring season, when water tables rise and more outside growth takes place, it isn’t uncommon for your outdoor drains to become clogged with debris. To prevent this issue from happening, it’s a good idea to go outside and check all of your drains in the early spring. Be sure to remove any sort of debris that’s near those locations to ensure adequate drainage.
Pipe Leaks
Another common problem that homeowners tend to experience with their plumbing systems in the springtime is leakage. As the humidity level starts to rise, corrosion will accelerate on plumbing fixtures, piping, and even valves. It can be helpful to check over all your plumbing system’s components to look for any signs of visible corrosion so that you can have these issues addressed before they turn into leaks. If it’s too late, our team can find and fix even hidden leaks.
Importance of Annual Plumbing Inspection
While there are many things that you can do as a homeowner to help prevent a lot of the springtime plumbing issues, one of the most effective things you can do is schedule professional maintenance service for your plumbing system. This is where one of our plumbing professionals will come out to your home and assess all the components of your system.
We’ll test for things like water pressure issues and potential leaks so that you can be informed of any issues that your system may have. This is great for detecting problems while they’re small and fairly inexpensive to repair. It’s also great for reducing your risk of experiencing a major plumbing issue that can take a toll on your wallet.
Exceptional Plumbing Repair Service
Viper Services offers exceptional plumbing repair service for the Taylors, SC area. We can also help with all your plumbing installation, replacement, and maintenance needs. Simply give us a buzz today to book your next service consultation.
