Seasonal Plumbing Maintenance Checklist

A prevalent homeowner mistake is not thinking about the plumbing until there’s a problem. We recommend a preventative approach to save you money and time. Every homeowner should have a plumbing maintenance list they can check off throughout the year. Let’s explore the important items you should add to your checklist for spring, summer, fall, and winter.

Spring and Summer Maintenance

Spring cleaning is an opportunity to take care of your home’s plumbing system as well. This is important ahead of summer, the season of heaviest water usage for the average household.

Check the Main Shutoff Valve

Make sure you know where your main shutoff is. Ensure you have a curb key and know how to use it. This is invaluable information during a plumbing emergency. Check the condition of the pipe, connections, and display. Contact your water company if you notice any issues.

Inspect the Water Meter

Check your water meter as well. Look for any signs of damage. Call your water company if there is damage or you can’t find your water meter.

Prepare Outdoor Plumbing

Remove any outdoor faucet covers. Reattach any garden hoses and hose reels. If applicable, open the shutoff valve for the outdoor plumbing. Test all outdoor faucets. If you have an irrigation system, this is the time to schedule professional seasonal maintenance.

Clean and Swap Out Faucet Aerators

Modern faucets often have aerators to improve water pressure and water conservation. Aerators build up scale and other debris over time. Spring is an excellent time to clean them and decide whether you need to replace them. Put new screens into your faucets. While soaking your aerators, it’s a good idea to soak your showerheads as well. Soak in vinegar for at least an hour, preferably overnight.

Appliance Checkups

Check all of your water-using appliances, including dishwashers and washing machines. Clean the appliance itself and the area around the appliance. Inspect electrical and gas connections and any other cables and hoses that connect to the appliances.

Schedule Professional Maintenance for Tank Water Heaters

You should schedule annual water heater maintenance because most warranties require it, and it will lower your operating costs. Tank water heaters need flushing. This service removes all the sediment that can build up in the tank over time. Left unattended, that sediment can cause increased energy consumption and corrosion. A plumber must also check the sacrificial anode rod and replace it when necessary. The typical anode rod replacement period is three to five years.

Schedule Professional Maintenance for Tankless Water Heaters

On-demand water heaters need annual maintenance as well. There’s no tank to flush or anode rod to replace, but they require descaling. This is where a plumber uses a recirculating pump to cycle a cleaning agent that removes limescale. Most tankless water heaters also have air and water filters that you must clean or replace. If you find you need flushing or descaling more than once a year, discuss water softening with your plumber. An anti-scale device for your water heater or a whole-home water softener can lower your overall plumbing maintenance requirements.

Inspect Your Septic System

If you have a septic system, it requires attention every year. Check the tank for sludge levels, and inspect the drain field for ponding water and obstructions. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends a professional inspection every three to five years even if you don’t notice problems. Most households will need to pump their tanks every three to five years as well.

Fall and Winter Maintenance

Fall is a notable time of year because this is when the rainy season begins in many areas. Winter is when pipes can freeze and water heaters and boilers are most prone to inefficiency.

Schedule an Annual Plumbing Inspection

Homeowners should schedule a comprehensive plumbing inspection annually. Early fall is an excellent time for this after the heavy usage of summer. If you have any fuel-burning appliances, it’s important to check gas lines, connections, and CO detectors. A plumber will test your home’s water pressure. It’s also an opportunity to check for drainage problems and faucet and toilet leaks.

Schedule Boiler Maintenance

If you have a hydronic heating system, schedule professional maintenance in the fall before you need to run your heat. Both hot water and steam boilers require an annual inspection, cleaning, and other maintenance. This requirement extends to radiant floor panels. Fall is also an excellent time to clean the area around the boiler and remove any clutter.

Water Treatment System Service

Water softeners, water purifiers, and reverse osmosis (RO) systems require annual service. A plumber will perform a multipoint inspection and sanitize the equipment. You may need new media as well. That can include replacing softener beads, RO membranes, sediment filters, and so forth.

Prepare Outdoor Plumbing

Many modern homes have a separate shutoff for the outdoor plumbing. If yours does, disable it for the winter. Remove hoses and drain them. Cover your outdoor faucets. If you have a sprinkler system, drain it. Homeowners with complex irrigation systems may need professional winterization.

Test the Pressure Relief Valve

Check your water heater at least once a month. Lift and lower the TPR valve three times. Each time you do, water should flow out and down the drain pipe. If there’s no water or you find a blockage, call a plumber. This is also an excellent time to dust the water heater and check for any clutter in its area.

Schedule Professional Sump Pump Maintenance

Primary and backup sump pumps require professional maintenance annually. Schedule this before the start of the rainy season, which is October in California. A plumber will perform a multipoint inspection and comprehensive cleaning and then test the equipment. This service includes correcting normal wear and tear, such as adjusting the float switch. As the sump pump gets older, this appointment is an opportunity to begin considering and planning the eventual replacement.

Perform Regular Sump Pump Tests

Throughout the rainy season, you should test your primary and backup sump pump at least once a month. Visually inspect it, and call a plumber if you notice any signs of a problem. You should do this before and after any heavy rain events as well.

Insulate Your Pipes

All water heaters need insulation on the hot water pipe at a minimum. This is true even in warm climates, as the water temperature is higher than the ambient air. Check the insulation in the fall and replace it at the first indication of wear. Frozen pipes aren’t a prevalent problem in warmer climates. Still, it’s a good idea to insulate exposed pipes near exterior walls.

Winterize

If you’ll be away from the home for an extended period, consider professional winterization. This involves draining all water from pipes and water-using appliances. Your plumbing company can then prepare the home before you return from your vacation or business.

Professional Plumbing Maintenance in Greater Los Angeles

Monkey Wrench Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric is a plumbing contractor located in Monterey Park, CA. Our team of licensed plumbers has served Los Angeles and the surrounding areas since 2007. We’re available for annual plumbing inspections, seasonal maintenance, winterization, and much more. If you have questions about our products and services, including our home maintenance plan, or want to schedule an appointment, call today, or contact us online.