Spring has finally arrived, but wait to water your lawn or activate any sprinklers. Months of freezing weather can compromise outdoor faucets and plumbing pipes, so take some steps to ensure your home’s systems are in top shape. Below are a few tips for preparing your fixtures for the warmer weather.

How to Get Your Plumbing Ready for Spring

1. Look for Winter Damage

In freezing weather, water expands and contracts, which can create small cracks in uninsulated pipes feeding your fixtures. Frost can also damage the gaskets and smaller parts inside a faucet.

To prevent bursts, inspect any outdoor plumbing for cracks and dripping. Have any damaged sections replaced.

2. Turn on the Outside Water

Some signs of damage won’t be visible until you pressurize the system, so turn on the water to any outdoor plumbing systems. You may hear some banging from hose bibbs as air gets pushed out of the pipes at first, but that should normalize as water flows through the system.

If sounds persist or the water pressure seems unusually low, turn the water back off and have a professional check for broken pipes.

3. Test the Sump Pump

Spring thaws and storms can saturate the soil with water, which may seep into your basement. A sump pump also removes excess water from floods before it can weaken the foundation and promote mold growth.

Have your sump pump inspected and cleaned before the rainy season arrives to prevent flooding. Test the battery to ensure it’s functional so the pump activates during an outage.
 

For over 50 years, Miller Plumbing Inc. has proudly served homeowners throughout New York’s Monroe, Livingston, and Ontario counties. No job is too big or small for these experienced plumbers, who have the tools and expertise to handle everything from routine inspections to bathroom remodeling. Visit their website for more on their wide range of services or call (585) 533-1404 to schedule an appointment.