The Ultimate Checklist for Annual Plumbing Maintenance

Introduction

This is essential since plumbing system maintenance will help prevent a call for expensive repairs in the future. It is vital that at least you by yourself do some regular maintenance, if not then get a professional in, this can add years to your pipes, fixtures and drains. By following this handy guide, you can be sure that your home’s plumbing system will be healthy all year round, every year.

Spring Plumbing Maintenance

One of the crucial plumbing season is spring because your plumbed system resumes after a chilly season or months of inactivity. Here are the key tasks you should perform in spring:

1. Inspect exposed pipes: You should also walk around your home and look for any pipe that is dripping or has burst during the winter, especially hose rubber that is fitted outside the house or pipes areas such as in the basement, attics, crawl space and the garage. It is critical to examine for symptoms of rusty, dampness, splits and or parts of assemblies which might possibly be shaken off. Check and repair any leaking pipes and, if they cannot be replaced, use pipe wrap insulation.
2. Flush your water heater: Pump about 5 gallons of the water out in order to remove sediments that tend to accumulate in the tanks. Heating causes water to circulate and flushes out sediment build up that may reduce the life span of a water heater. Make sure of the temperature and pressure of the water heater you have as you check for these things.
3. Test pressure relief valve: To contribute to avoiding water heater’s explosion, you should check the functioning of the pressure relief valve lever by lifting and releasing it. Replace if needed.
4. Deep clean drains and pipes: An enzyme cleaner, a foaming cleaner or a baking soda/vinegar homemade solution helps to eliminate soap scum, grease, or mineral deposits. Avoid accumulation that may cause slow drains or a blockage.
5. Inspect supply lines: All water supply pipes visible with sinks, toilets, faucets, etc. Should be inspected for swelling, twisting, rust, cracks, and slip in connections. If any replacement is necessary perform them now at non-emergency rates.
6. Add outdoor faucet covers: Protect your hose bibs and outdoor faucets from freezing and failing during the last cold front or buried in snow by using faucet cover. Take them off in spring when all probability of the frosts is already over.

Summer Plumbing Maintenance

In the summer you are going to be using your systems of plumbing more often for lawn irrigation, filling pools, partying among others. Prevent issues with:

1. Fix leaks immediately: It is equally important to note that even the smallest of these leaks may cause the loss of several hundred gallons of water, or more, each month. Lubricate the unit and replace worn o-rings, gaskets, washers etc. You should also think about having old faucets and pipes looked at, replaced if they are continually dripping.
2. Deep clean plumbing fixtures: Clean sinks, shower and bathtub area more vigorously to clean mineral deposits, soap scum and mildew stain. Use eco-friendly cleaners.
3. Inspect for underground leaks: Keep track of your densitiy water bill and check for large disparities in your water usage. Look at places which have pipes buried for things like lawns sprinkling systems. Focus on the sounds you hear, especially if there is running water, and the intensity of the colors of the vegetation.
4. Check water pressure: To test water pressure in your home, use water pressure gauge. It is best to maintain a pressure of 60-80 PSI at best. Learn how pressure issues can be handled well.
5. Drain/refill water heater: Bi-quarterly, flush 1-2 gallons of water from the tank so as to remove sediments as a way of increasing the life of the water heater. Replace your dryer if it is more than 8-10 years of use from the new unit.
6. Pour cleaner down AC condensation line: Avoid clogs that lead to AC overflow inside the house by using vinegar, hydrogen peroxide or an enzyme cleaner into the drain line once a month.
7. Check irrigation system: Conduct a round about the property monitoring the sprinkler heads, drip irrigation lines and the emitters for any sign of correct spray angles, leaks etc. Repair now instead of haphazardly and wastefully using water throughout the duration of summer.

Fall Plumbing Maintenance

Before your plumbing system goes dormant for winter, complete this preventative maintenance checklist in autumn:

1. Insulate pipes in unheated areas: Outdoor hose bibs, pipes in crawl spaces, basements and garages must be insulated more. They are good for protecting them from winter freezes and bursting, and can be bought from a store as foam wraps or fiberglass insulation.
2. Disconnect outdoor hoses: All hose bibs should be closed and all hoses should be detached. Adding hose bib covers gives brand new non-insulated faucets another layer of protection from very rigid freezing.
3. Shut off irrigation systems: Users are urged to refer to system manuals where shutdown procedures are stated, before disconnecting pipes from the water source and draining them. Insulate any back flow preventer.
4. Winterize outdoor faucets: In addition to removing hoses, use outside faucet covers and insulate any pipes near faucets from freezing. Some interior valves designed to supply hose bibs do have their separate shutoff valves as part of this layout. Consider frost-proof faucets.
5. Deep clean all drains and garbage disposals: Clean out hair buildups, grease and bad smells from bathroom and kitchen sinks before the holidays begin. Clean with enzyme cleaners, boiling water, plungers, or auger as the cases may apply. Pour lemon and baking soda over the disposal.
6. Schedule annual plumbing inspection: These steps are recommended by a licensed plumber to inspect all areas of your home’s plumbing before turning off all watering, swimming pools, outside faucets for the winter. Fix any issues now.

Winter Plumbing Maintenance

Recurrent freezing conditions make substantial pressures on the infrastructure of plumbing and wear it down. Stay on top of winter maintenance:

1. Maintain consistent heat: Maintain the temperature indoors at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid freezing of water In pipes that are exposed to cold zones. It is acceptable to let faucets drip during especially cold nights. That’s not all; do not forget about your vacation home.
2. Check supply hoses: Fix or tear out the firm, split or swollen internal water pipes behind cupboards and under counters to prevent them from bursting. Instead of using rubber, try braided stainless steel.
3. Monitor usage: Look for higher water bills referring unseen leaks like cracks in the underground irrigation pipes, or running toilet. Never disregard standing water issues near any plumbing system on your property.
4. Test water pressure: You did earlier when the water being used is still hot, the water pressure is low, but use an inexpensive water pressure gauge once more due to colder water has higher pressure. It is recommended to maintain pressure within the range needed to operate faucets and showers without undue stress: 40-80 PSI.
5. Clean kitchen sink disposals: Avoid grease accumulation during the holiday season. Doing disposal with hot water and peel of the citrus fruits at regular interval is effective. Do not wait for scraps to bond in cold unused disposals over the winter break.
6. Check water heater & pipe insulation: Heated pipes that are exposed and may be located in cold areas such as the attic should have proper covering, so that they do not freeze. Place more insulation material if needed on the home.

Don’t let your plumbing go in the wrong way during the season! Follow the checklist below.P This is because it is always wise not to wait until the pipes burst or some other mishap happens which may be so costly, it also makes sure that each fixture at each location functions even in freezing conditions throughout the entire year if need be. Make it a habit to hire an independent plumber once a year and each time when problems fall outside your basic fixing skills.