How to Make Your Home Energy Efficient this Spring
Maintaining your home is a year round task. Even though the lingering effects of winter may still be affecting various parts of the country, you are now very close to experiencing the warm spring weather.
As you are eagerly embracing the change in seasons, preparing your plumbing for the spring now can help you take the steps necessary for a more energy efficient home. Here are some of the main plumbing tasks that will help you prepare for the spring.
Check the Faucets
Check all faucets, inside and outside, to ensure they are functioning normally. Turn on the cold and hot water lines at the same time and listen carefully for any unusual sounds.
If you hear air in the line, it should settle after the water runs for a few minutes.
If there is low water pressure, it may mean you have a leak somewhere in the line and you should call a professional plumber as soon as possible.
When checking the faucets for leaks, pay careful attention to the hose bib. If the water supply pipe froze during the winter, it may have expanded and cracked, which will cause the pipe to leak and should be replaced as soon as possible.
Flush the Water Heater
Your water heater typically undergoes extra use during the winter, so at the first sign of spring you should completely flush out all of the water. Flushing the water heater will help improve its efficiency by removing all of the sediments and minerals that have built up over the long winter.
If you increased the temperature gauge for hotter water during the winter, turn it back down to around 120 degrees to prevent scalding accidents and to save energy. For the optimum energy efficiency regarding your water heater, consider replacing the old one with a tankless water heater.
Test the Sump Pump
One of the most important things you can do to keep the plumbing system safe this spring is to ensure your sump pump is primed and prepared for hard work. Locate the sump pump and test it by pouring water into the sump pit. The pit should kick on quickly, allow the water to flow and then automatically turn off.
The sump pump is critical for protecting the foundation of your home, so an improper working sump pump can lead to expensive water damage and repair costs.
If the sump pump does not work like it should during the test, it is essential that you contact a local plumber to have it inspected before it completely burns out.
Every season has its own set of potential plumbing problems, so it is important to make sure you prepare the plumbing system for the spring, so you can relax and enjoy the warm weather.
Protecting your home against plumbing problems for spring is easy; simply contact a local plumber to inspect your drains, faucets and water lines at the beginning of the season, then you will be free to enjoy your spring.
Interested in going green? Call Shamrock Plumbing and Drain Cleaning at (407) 305-6183 to make your Orlando home more energy efficient today.