Spring is here in most parts of the country… and with spring comes a mix of weather for many people! This could include rain… maybe sun… warm days but cold nights.
And the result? It’s hard on your plumbing!
Those warm days may make you want to open up the windows and turn on the garden hose and start taking care of your lawn.
But then the cold nights still come and in some areas that can actually cause your pipes to burst the next day when the sun warms everything up, spilling water everywhere; it’s a costly mess.
So, what should you do this spring? Here are several tips to help you navigate the ups and downs of spring to keep your plumbing working the way it should!
#1. Make sure you close your windows at night
The warm spring air during the day is nice but it can really cool off those pipes at night. You don’t want that! Make sure the windows are closed at night to keep pipes at a stable temperature. (And you probably won’t mind being warm too, right?)
#2. Clean your gutters
This might seem like an odd PLUMBING suggestion but you’ll see why in a moment: over winter, debris like leaves and sticks can collect in your gutters. Then when springtime rains come, the water runs into your gutters and spills out over the sides and pools at your foundation instead of running down the downspout and away from your house. Once pooling at your foundation, the water then runs down and may collect in weeping tiles… but it could also enter your home and cause flooding. So, make sure you have a sump pump all set up to collect and move water that could be rising underneath your house, and send it away from your home.
#3. Remove standing water from around your foundation
If your area got snow over the winter and it’s melting now and pooling by your foundation, you’ll want to remove it. Sure, this may not affect everyone in the same way right now but a flood is something you won’t want to risk.
#4. Spring cleaning: don’t forget about your pipes
Lastly, when you’re doing spring cleaning, don’t forget about your pipes; especially the wastewater pipes that move water out of your home. They should be cleaned too! Have a plumber come in and inspect your pipes and clean them out each year so you never have to worry about backed up lines that won’t drain.
Summary
April is here! Spring is here! That means we can all enjoy the beautiful weather and the great outdoors. But as a homeowner, be aware that the fluctuating temperatures of spring could be hard on your plumbing. These simple tips will help keep things flowing for you and avoid any expensive plumbing repairs in Orange County.