Need help? Hire the professionals

Get a free quote from the London Property Service specialists here at My Plumber

Get a free quote right now

Spring Plumbing Tips: Cleaning & Maintenance

As the weather warms up, it’s time to step back and look into proper maintenance of property-wide plumbing. Time flies, and you may lay upon plumbing issues you aren’t even aware of.

That’s why at My Plumber we put together a handful of our most helpful and easy tips on plumbing maintenance during the spring.

spring and pipes

Here we wrapped some of our tips and advice:

Inspect toilet tanks, tubs and bowls for cracks or leaks

Professional leak repair is usually needed at high-traffic components, such as sinks, batteries, and the most notorious – toilets. Be it because of a crack in the seat or compromised pipes leading water in and out.

Check the float valve and system.
Make sure it is set to a low setting. If it is too high, water may flow into the bowl instead of out.
Check the seal around the tank. If the gasket has been worn down, it may allow water to seep in.
Replace it with a new one.
Flush your toilet regularly.
Consider professional tap replacement and repair help.

A great hack to spot leaks is adding drops of food colouring to the toilet tank. If the toilet is leaking, colourful leaks will drip at the point of the breach and from there it’s up to you.

Check faucets for drips or leaks. Schedule repairs.

Ensure your WC flushes correctly

If the handle must be held down for a thorough flush or jiggled to stop the water from running, you may need to replace some of the worn-out tank parts. If you’re willing to dive into a bit of handyman work, parts are not that pricy, and you’ll notice a lower water bill.

If your home uses a sump pump, pour a water bucket or few into the sump pit to make sure it operates correctly. The pump should turn on quickly, discharge the water, and shut off without any problems.

Replace water heaters older than 15 years

Heating technology and standards advance, and the fact is that newer water heaters are just way more energy-efficient. It’s a good idea to replace your old water heater with a newer model when the time is right.

Replacing the tank It’s time to replace the tank if:

The heat exchanger has rusted
The metal shows signs of corrosion.
The tank is cracked.
The tank is leaking.
The tank has low water pressure.

Check temperature settings on your water heater

It should be set no higher than 50 degrees to prevent scalding and reduce energy use.

Carefully drain several gallons from the water heater tank to flush out corrosion-causing sediment, which reduces heating efficiency and shortens the heater’s life. Check your water heater manufacturer’s website for specific instructions concerning your make and model.

Remove sediments from boilers

Sediment buildup in boilers cause reduced efficiency, increased energy consumption, and shortened lifespan of the equipment. It acts as a physical barrier between the heating element in the tank, thus reducing its overall efficiency.

You don’t want a barrier between heating elements. Neglecting to spot on time, makes it harder to heat water for household use such as showers, dishwashers, and laundry.

At My Plumber we can help with boiler servicing and boiler repair.

Check dishwasher, washing machine, and ice maker supply hoses for bulges or leaks

Replace hoses showing signs of weakness or those that are older than ten years. Use stainless steel hoses wherever possible. They are more reliable and less prone to bursting than other types.

Ensure that yard drains, gutters, and downspouts are cleaned out, open, and free of debris.

Inspect vent pipes

Confused birds often find vent pipes as a great place to settle in and nest. Unfortunately, along with bird nests, other debris clog up plumbing vent pipes and render your system draining at a snail’s pace.

Check water hoses

As you should always unhook the hose after each use to prevent pipes from bursting due to frozen water if temperatures should drop, you should always test it for rips and holes right before you hook it back in.

While you’re taking your cleaning to a higher level, now is also a good time to take a closer look at grout throughout floor tiles, backsplashes, and counters, note experts Crown Cleaners.

Look for new cracks that may have occurred because of changes in humidity and seal before they spread.

Check the bathtub and trim in showers and sinks to look for any sign of leaking or mould. Spotting problems while small can save you thousands of dollars down the road.

Carry professional water reading test

Look at your water metre before leaving for work for the day and check the metre when you come back (making sure no one uses any water in the home while you’re away). If the number changed, you have a leak.

Remember that regular maintenance and inspections can save you money in the long run by

Consider installing a water softener

Hard water contains high levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium and systematic neglect leads to problems with your plumbing, appliances, dishes, clothes, and even your skin and hair.

That’s why installing a water softener is a smart choice and ever more recommended addition to modern UK properties.

A water softener is a device that uses salt, be it sodium chloride (NaCl) or potassium chloride (KCl) to sanitise excess minerals from your water.

Salt acts as a magnet to attract and capture calcium and magnesium ions, leaving behind softer water that flows problem-free through your pipes and faucets.

The benefits of having a water softener are quite a few. Here are some of the advantages of water softeners:

Water softeners save you money on soap and detergents, as hard water makes it harder for soap to lather and rinse, thus leading to more mire water use. With soft water, you would use less soap and detergent as you literally wash faster.
Water softeners reduce damage done to your dishes, clothes, and hardware. Hard water leaves unpleasant spots, stains, and residue, making both fabrics and dish look dull and dirty.
Water softeners reduce corrosion and mineral build-up damage and extends life of your hardware, such as faucets, shower heads, and pipes.
Water softeners enhance your skin and hair. Hard water can dry out your skin and hair, making it rough and brittle. It also clogs pores to cause irritation and breakouts. Soft water moisturises your skin and hair for a softer and smoother feel, not to mention benefits to skin complexion and problems with acne.

Maintenance gutters & downspout sewage

Gutters play a crucial role in maintaining the health of your outdoor plumbing systems. Thus, it is imperative to include gutter cleaning as an essential task in your spring plumbing checklist. Cleaning gutters and yard drains regularly helps prevent debris from accumulating and freezing, which could potentially damage your home.

Moreover, it’s equally essential to clean your downspouts to prevent clogging, which can result in water build-up around the foundation of your house. This build-up can cause walls to sweat, water seepage out of the foundation, and, if you have a basement, it could lead to a wet basement.

Need help? Hire the London Property Service experts today by giving us a call on 020 3078 5920.