As the days grow longer and the temperatures rise, you can expect the snow to melt away. Spring brings a sense of renewal, but it also presents a few challenges for your home’s plumbing. The freeze-thaw cycle in winter can leave your pipes, faucets and drains susceptible to damage. Many times, this isn’t obvious until the snow has melted.
If you want to avoid costly repairs or unexpected emergencies, you need to inspect your home’s plumbing system at the start of spring. Whether you choose to tackle this task yourself or hire a professional plumber, a full inspection will make sure your plumbing is ready for the warmer months ahead.
Spring Thaw Puts Plumbing at Risk
Why do you need an inspection done? Unfortunately, your pipes and the rest of the plumbing system are vulnerable throughout the winter. When water freezes, it expands. In turn, that puts a lot of pressure on your pipes. Even if they didn’t burst during a harsh freeze, the thaw can reveal cracks or weakened joints.
You also have to be careful of ground shifts. As snow and ice melt, the soil around your home becomes saturated and may move. Sometimes, that can strain underground pipes and sewer lines.
Another issue is debris in drains. Melting snow often carries debris into outdoor drains. That can leave you with clogs that can cause slow drainage or even backups.
When you inspect and maintain your plumbing, that can help you catch these issues early before they turn into major problems. Here are a few ways to inspect your system after the big thaw.
Inspect Exposed Pipes
You’ll want to start your inspection by examining the exposed pipes in your home. In most cases, you can find them in your basement, utility rooms or under sinks. You will want to look out for water stains on walls or ceilings. These issues can often indicate hidden leaks. If there is moisture at pipe joints, puddles of water or damp spots near plumbing fixtures, those are signs that your pipes may have suffered damage.
Even small leaks can waste water and lead to higher utility bills. If you notice any signs of damage, address them immediately to prevent more issues.
Test Water Pressure
You might want to turn all faucets and showers throughout your home to check for consistent water pressure. If the flow is weaker than normal, it may be a sign of a few problems, such as:
- Leaks in the system
- Blockages caused by mineral buildup
- Issues with your water main
If you don’t know why your water pressure is low, a licensed plumber can diagnose and resolve the problem for you.
Monitor Your Drains
If you’re having problems with low or sluggish drains, it could be caused by leftover debris from winter or clogs that formed during the freeze. You will want to pour water down all sinks, bathtubs and shower drains to make sure they are working properly.
Persistent slow drainage could signal a deeper problem. You might have pipe damage or a sewer line issue. In those cases, it could be time to hire a professional plumber to inspect and determine the source of your slow drains.
Inspect Toilets and Fixtures
Your plumbing system is more than just outdoor fixtures. You will want to take a close look at your toilets and other interior fixtures. For example, any moisture around the base of the toilet could indicate a seal issue.
Also, if you have fixtures that drip or don’t shut off completely, that is another indicator that something is off. These small issues are easy to overlook, but they can waste water and lead to extensive repairs if left unaddressed.
Examine Your Water Heater
Your water heater works overtime in winter. When spring arrives, you will want to give it a thorough check. Keep your eyes open for:
- Leaks or puddles near the base of the heater
- Rust or corrosion on the exterior of the tank
- Unusual noises like popping or banging
Any of these issues should be addressed. Sometimes, you may need to flush the tank, while other times, you could need a water heater replacement.
While flushing your water heater is a maintenance task many homeowners can handle themselves, a professional plumber can ensure the system is functioning at peak performance and help you decide if repairs or a replacement are needed.
Don’t Overlook Outdoor Plumbing
Since most of these components have sat outside for the long winter, you will need to inspect them to make sure they are in optimal working condition. Take this time to test outdoor faucets and spigots. The water should flow freely. If the pressure is low or you notice leaks around the connections, the faucet or pipe may have been damaged by freezing.
If you have a sprinkler system, it might be time to run a quick test. You will want to watch out for sprinkler heads that don’t pop up or spray or pool water around heads. All those problems could be signs of leaks or damaged pipes.
Sprinkler systems can be tricky to troubleshoot. Often, the repairs require specialized tools. You’ll want to reach out to a professional plumber to make sure your system is in working order for the season.
Leave Spring Maintenance to the Professionals
While there are many tasks homeowners can handle by themselves, you might be better off working with a professional plumber. Yes, you can see if there are leaks or low pressure in your lines, but a trained plumber can check for problems that could be lurking deeper in your system. These individuals use advanced tools to locate leaks, clear blockages, and inspect underground pipes without extensive digging.
If there are any problems, you can expect a top-quality repair from DeWolfe Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. Whether it’s fixing a cracked pipe, repairing a leaking water heater or replacing a damaged faucet, one of our plumbers will make sure the job is done right the first time.
Along with that, our plumbers have tips and tricks to help you avoid any issues with your plumbing for the next season. A plumber can provide advice on how to protect your plumbing from future damage. For example, they can install pipe insulation, upgrade outdoor faucets or conduct annual inspections to prepare you for the next big freeze.
Investing in professional maintenance saves you time and stress and helps you avoid expensive repairs. A quick visit from a plumber in the spring can make all the difference for your system.
West Boylston residents and businesses have trusted DeWolfe Plumbing, Heating & Cooling for affordable and professional home services. Since 1931, we’ve delivered top-notch plumbing solutions. Our team can address a whole line of issues, including pipe repairs, replacement and maintenance for home’s plumbing systems. If you are looking for advice on keeping your home in top shape, schedule a visit from our friendly team at DeWolfe Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today!
