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Three Easy Tips to Prepare Home Plumbing for Spring
Winter is taking its final bow and, with warmer weather on the way, we’re providing operators with some basic tips to help homeowners prepare for warmer weather. By encouraging homeowners to follow these steps you can help them to improve energy efficiency and even prevent costly repairs to the home.
Prevent a Spring Break – With the arrival of spring, it is important to check all exposed pipes. Cracked pipes from harsh winter weather can lead to water damage to the home. Advise homeowners to inspect the pipes carefully and watch for any unusually green, moldy, damp or mossy areas nearby. An excessive growth of molds or moss may indicate a leak.
It is also important for homeowners to check both interior and exterior faucets to ensure they function properly. They should turn on hot and cold lines one at a time and listen. Air in the line may be normal, but only if it subsides after a few minutes of running. Low water pressure, on the other hand, can indicate that a leak exists somewhere in the line, and that’s something they’ll need to get a handle on ASAP.
Brush Up on Downspouts – You can advise homeowners that downspouts should be directed away from the home’s foundation. This is also a good time to break out a ladder and (carefully!) check that their storm drains and gutters are cleared and to remove as much buildup and debris as possible. If gutters or storm drains are clogged when spring storms blow through, the home may be at risk for flooding and water damage.
Beat the Heater – This is also the perfect time for homeowners to flush water heaters, but only if they have the experience and training necessary to do so safely.
By draining the tank, they can remove mineral deposits and sediment buildup that can reduce efficiency and compromise the integrity of the unit. If the temperature gauge was raised to provide hotter water during the winter, it should be brought down to 120 degrees to save energy and prevent scalding accidents.