It’s important to protect your plumbing system year-round, but the threat of April showers makes it even more critical to maintain it during spring. There are several steps that you can take to prevent issues such as leaks or a flooded basement. Here’s what you should know.

How to Maintain Your Plumbing System During Spring

1. Assess the Sump Pump

If you have a sump pump, make sure that it’s working properly by removing its cover and pouring water inside the pit. After it reaches a certain point, the pump should turn on automatically and guide the water away through the exit pipe. If it doesn’t, the issue could be due to a clogged exit pipe, a broken check valve, or a failing drainage system. Fixing the problem in advance is key to avoiding a flooded basement when spring showers arrive. 

2. Clean Out the Gutters

Fall and winter can wreak havoc on your gutters. As they clog with leaves, twigs, pine needles, grit, and runoff from your roof, they lose their efficiency and can’t properly direct rainwater away from your home. As a result, any rain that falls could seep down the sides of your home, weigh down your roofing, collect around the foundation, or cause a flooded basement. Make sure that the gutters are cleaned and the downspouts emptied so that they’re ready to handle spring weather.

3. Inspect the Septic System

The combination of melting snow and heavy rains can also affect your septic system. Cleaning the downspouts will protect the drain field from becoming oversaturated. The septic tank filter may also become clogged with winter debris, which can prevent the system from proper waste disposal. Be sure to clean or replace it before spring so that you don’t experience a surprise plumbing disaster inside your home.

4. Check Your Water Well

If you depend on a water well for your residential supply, inspect it carefully after winter. In the winter, water can freeze, expand, and crack the well casing, leaving lingering damage that could impact the safety of your home’s water supply. Schedule repairs if you discover fissures. Make sure the ground surrounding the well is properly sloped to prevent springtime runoff of pesticides, leaves, and animal droppings, all of which could contaminate your home’s water supply if situated too close to the well.

 

Is your plumbing system ready for spring? If not, turn to the experts at Service Plus Plumbing in Canterbury, CT. They offer comprehensive services designed to boost the efficiency of your home’s system while ensuring that you don’t have to deal with any unforeseen emergencies. Whether you’re concerned about the possibility of a flooded basement, need to have your septic system cleaned, or need to arrange a water well inspection, trust them to handle the job. Visit their website for details, or call them at (860) 234-9346 to schedule an appointment.