Spring Plumbing Checklist: 8 Things to Inspect After Winter
Winter puts stress on a home's plumbing system in ways that aren't always obvious right away. A pipe can survive months of freezing temperatures with hairline damage that only shows up once things thaw and pressure returns to normal. Spring is the right time to check for that damage before it turns into a surprise leak. Here are eight things worth going through as the weather warms up.
Outdoor faucets and exposed pipes
Turn on each outdoor faucet (hose bib) and watch closely. A steady stream with no dripping from the handle or the pipe behind the wall is a good sign. If you see water leaking from around the faucet body or hear water running inside the wall when the faucet is off, that's a sign of a freeze crack that needs attention before you start using hoses and sprinklers regularly.
While you're at it, give any pipes you insulated or wrapped for winter, in crawlspaces, attics, or basements, a visual once-over. Check for cracked insulation, moisture, or any sign that a pipe took stress from freezing temperatures.
Sump pump and drainage
If your sump pump sat mostly idle over a dry winter, don't assume it's still working. Pour a bucket of water into the pit and confirm the float switch triggers the pump, and that water actually drains out through the discharge line without backing up. Spring rains put pumps to the test fast, so this is worth doing before the first big storm, not after.
While you're outside, check that downspouts are directing water well away from the foundation. Standing water near the house after spring rains and snowmelt can eventually find its way into a basement or crawlspace.
Water heater and water pressure
A water heater that's been quietly struggling all winter often shows it through subtle changes: less hot water than usual, longer recovery time between showers, or a faint rumbling sound from sediment buildup. Give the tank a visual check for rust or moisture around the base while you're at it.
It's also worth testing your water pressure. An inexpensive pressure gauge that screws onto an outdoor spigot can tell you in under a minute whether you're in the healthy 40 to 60 psi range. Pressure that crept up over the winter, sometimes from a failing pressure regulator, puts ongoing strain on pipes and fixtures.
Irrigation lines and slow drains
Before flipping your sprinkler system back on for the season, walk the yard looking for soft, soggy patches that might indicate a line cracked from ground freeze and thaw. Turn the system on at low pressure first and watch each zone for unusual pooling or a head that won't stop running.
Also take note of any drains that seem slower than they used to be. Cold weather can accelerate grease buildup in drain lines, since cooler pipes let grease solidify faster. Spring is a good time to clear a sluggish drain before it becomes a full clog.
Your spring checklist at a glance
- Test every outdoor faucet for freeze damage
- Inspect exposed pipe insulation in crawlspaces and attics
- Test the sump pump with a bucket of water
- Check downspout drainage away from the foundation
- Inspect the water heater for rust, moisture, or unusual sounds
- Test your water pressure with a simple gauge
- Walk irrigation zones before turning the system back on
- Clear any drains that slowed down over winter
A simple way to work through this list is to spend one weekend afternoon walking the exterior and interior of your home with it in hand. Most items take just a few minutes each, and catching a small issue in spring is a lot less disruptive than discovering it mid-summer.
If anything on this list turns up a concern you're not sure how to handle, whether it's a water heater that's acting off or a pressure reading that seems too high, ProFlow Plumbing is happy to take a look and set your plumbing up for a trouble-free season. Call us at (555) 010-4477.