Plumbing Checklist for Summer 2021

Plumbing doesn’t always rank high on the list of home comfort priorities – until you have a leak or flood, or some other problem that keeps you from enjoying hot showers, clean dishes, and fresh laundry.

Like any other system in your home, it’s best to stay on top of plumbing maintenance to keep bigger problems at bay, or catch them early. Here’s a plumbing checklist to make things a little easier for you.

Summer Plumbing Tasks By Room

Kitchen / bathroom
Check for leaks on all faucets; take care of any plumbing repairs immediately.

☐ Install drain strainers in all sinks to prevent clogging.

☐ Inspect your toilet tank and bowl for cracks or leaks.

☐ Make sure toilets flush properly. If a toilet doesn’t flush correctly, it probably means that some parts are worn out from use; contact us for plumbing service.

☐ Check toilets for hidden leaks by adding a few drops of food coloring to the toilet tank; if the toilet is leaking, color will appear in the bowl within 30 minutes.
☐ Remove mineral deposits from showerheads and aerators (the screw-on tips of your faucets) by unscrewing each and soaking them in vinegar overnight; gently scrub them in the morning with an old toothbrush.

Appliances

☐ Check the thermostat on your water heater; make sure it is set at no higher than 120°F to get the best balance of energy efficiency and performance (the U.S. Department of Energy recommends 115-120°F).
☐ Drain several gallons from the water heater tank to flush out efficiency-reducing sediment, carefully following manufacturer’s instructions for doing so – or get professional water heater maintenance from Woodruff Energy and let us do it for you.
☐ Consider replacing your water heater if your unit is more than 10 or 12 years old; the energy efficiency improvements alone will more than likely pay for the investment in just a few years.
☐ Check appliance hoses for bulges, leaks, or cracks, repairing or replacing them as needed.

General

☐ Snake slow drains – especially flood drains in your basement.
☐ Test run your sump pump in advance of spring storms.
☐ Check under-sink pipes for leaks and repair as needed.
☐ Look for slow leaks in your home by taking a reading on your water meter before bedtime; check the meter again then next morning after not using water overnight. If the reading has changed you have a leak that should be repaired.

Outside

☐ Clear outdoor drains, gutters and downspouts regularly.
☐ Turn on outdoor water; check faucets and hoses to make sure water flows correctly.

Stay on top of leaks and other plumbing issues with professional plumbing service from Woodruff Energy. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our plumbing experts!