Finally, spring has arrived and along with her fresh rays of sunlight comes the annual ritual of “Spring Cleaning”. Yes, it is that time of year where we all go through our homes dusting… cleaning… fixing and mending all those items that winter has taken its toll on. This is also the best time of year to ensure that your homes plumbing systems are working properly… not leaking… and possibly inflating your already oversized water bill, or causing unforeseen damage to your property. So, in an effort to assist your family with this year’s Spring Cleaning, we have outlined a few plumbing areas to inspect that may help ease your mind and easy the stress upon your back pocket:
Check your taps for drips and leaks. Call a plumber to make repairs where necessary.
Make sure filters are installed above all drains to prevent soap, hair & debris from accumulating inside your drain pipes.
Check all of your toilets for leaks. A great little tip is to simply add a few drops of food coloring to the water inside the toilet tank and allow it to settle for 30 minutes. If there is a leak, the color will appear in the toilet bowl.
It is also a great time to address those frustrating flush issues… i.e. having to hold the handle down to completely flush or jiggling the handle to stop the flow of water. Call your local plumber to replace any worn parts that may be causing these issues. Most of these parts are inexpensive, easy to install and make a huge impact on your water bill.
Another good little tip is to unscrew old shower heads that are blocked with small mineral deposits. A good idea is to soak them in vinegar overnight and then scrub away the crusty deposits with an old toothbrush. Be sure to throw the tooth brush into the bin once the job has been completed!
Get your plumber to test to see that your water heater is set no higher than 60°c. This helps prevent accidental scalding and reduces your home’s energy consumption.
Also check your water heater’s date of manufacture (This should be the tank’s first four digits of the serial number, month and year). If this date is older than 15 years, consider purchasing a newer, more energy efficient water heater.
Carefully drain out a few litres of water from your heater’s tank. Make sure to consult the manufacturer’s instructions before attempting this. Doing this will help flush out energy reducing sediment that can accumulate at the bottom of the tank. If all this seems a little to much, then once again call your local plumber.
Check your washing machine, dishwasher, and ice makers supply hoses for bumps, knots, swellings, or leaks. Remove and replace any hoses showing signs of damage, ageing or with a manufacture date older than ten years. Whenever possible replace with stainless steel hoses.
Ensure your washing machine’s drain pipe is not getting blocked up with lint. Some newer washing machines have lint traps; ensure that the trap is clean.
Pour water down unused drains to fill the trap seal underneath. This will help to stop foul odours from entering your home through unused drains.
Check the pipes under vanity bains and kitchen sinks for any leaks.
Clear out any debris that may be affecting your storm water pits, gutters and downpipes.
And last of all, please inspect for any unseen leaks by recording your water meter’s reading just before you go to bed. The next morning, before anyone in the house uses any of the household water, check to see if the meter reading has changed. If there is a difference between the two readings you may have a concealed leak that needs to be addressed by your local plumber.
If you take the time to check these few areas each spring it will help you identify many small plumbing problems before they become larger plumbing concerns. If you do happen to experience a plumbing problem or just have a question, contact us. We have been serving the Gold Coast area for 18 years and look forward to helping your family experience many more beautiful springs on the Gold Coast.
