Engaging in deep cleaning and home decluttering after the winter season passes is a common tradition for many homeowners. But while the visible areas in your kitchen, bathrooms, and garage get most of the attention, it’s important to give some to what’s going on inside your walls. Be sure to include these routine home plumbing maintenance items on your spring-cleaning to-do list this year.
Check for Water Leaks
A good place to start is with a visual inspection. Pay close attention to your interior ceilings and walls, looking for any new spots or stains.
Look also for any discoloration or sagging areas on the ceiling or changes in texture on the walls signifying water damage. It sometimes helps to shut off the lights and just rely on available light from windows or side-lighting, since the light casts different shadows along surfaces that are normally illuminated by powerful ceiling lights.
Also check under your sinks and behind toilets by running your hand along those pipes to feel for moisture caused by leaks. Clear all the stuff out of those sink cabinets so you can check for drips and puddles there as well.
Flush Out the Water Heater Tank
Late spring is also a good time to drain out your water heater tank. Sediment and mineral deposits are commonly found in all home plumbing systems, and small quantities are normally harmless to your health. However, they can damage your water heater and plumbing if not addressed.
Your tank water heater has a small faucet spigot along the bottom that allows you to easily drain the tank. After shutting off the water supply, just screw on a standard garden hose and open up the spigot to drain the water and sediment. Then, run the water again to flush out any sediment remaining before closing it back up. After that, you’re good for another year.
Schedule a Visit for Leak Detection
Frozen pipes are common in the winter, and the expansion in your pipes caused by frozen water inside them can cause cracks and leaks that might not be easily detected with the naked eye. If your water bill seems higher than usual or you hear drips and running water inside your walls, you could have some new water leaks.
We offer video camera drain line inspections with all our drain cleaning services. These camera inspections often spot water leaks, but other leak detection methods include thermal imaging and sonic devices. These can detect water leaks inside your walls and ceilings that are not otherwise visible.
Call for Drain Cleaning Services
Annual drain cleaning is a good practice for every homeowner. While DIY methods are helpful — such as pouring hot water down your drains every month or using drain screens on your shower drains — manual drain snaking and hydro jetting are more reliable for cleaning slow drains and clogs.
Don’t let your annual spring-cleaning session pass by without including routine plumbing maintenance too. Follow the tips above and contact Frausto Plumbing today for drain cleaning services in Compton, CA.
