St Paul Plumber Offers Springtime Plumbing Tips

SAINT PAUL, Minn. - April 26, 2019 - PRLog -- Spring has finally arrived in Minnesota and homeowners in the area are beginning to mark items off their spring cleaning checklist. One thing that's often forgotten is plumbing maintenance. All Ways Drains, a Twin Cities plumbing company, offers some plumbing-related spring cleaning tasks to prevent problems.

All Ways Drains recommends homeowners check any exposed pipes underneath sinks and in the basement for signs of leaks. A good way to inspect for leaks is to take a reading of the water meter before bedtime and again the next morning, without using any water overnight. If the reading has changed, a leak is very likely. It should be found and repaired.

Another good thing for homeowners to do in the spring is to pour a gallon of water down infrequently used drains, such as floor drains, to fill the trap and prevent odors from entering the house.

Homeowners should have strainers over all drains to prevent hair, soap and debris from causing a clog. Homeowners can also exercise water supply valves under sinks and toilets to prevent them from sticking. If unsure how to do this, they should contact a plumbing professional for assistance.

Toilets should be inspected for any cracks or leaks, and they should be checked for proper flushing. If the handle needs to be held down for a thorough flush or jiggled to stop the water from running, replacement parts may be needed. A good way to check for hidden leaks in the toilet is to add a few drops of food coloring to the toilet tank. If the toilet is leaking, the color will appear in the bowl in less than 30 minutes.

Homeowners should also check their water using appliances. Washing machine, dishwasher and ice maker hoses should be checked for any bulges or leaks. Old hoses or ones showing signs of wear should be replaced. Another handy tip for homeowners is to check the temperature setting on their water heater. It should not be set higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit. This prevents scalding and also reduces energy use. A water heater that's more than 15 years old should be replaced. Newer water heaters are more energy efficient.

By following these spring plumbing maintenance tasks, homeowners can usually prevent a costly plumbing problem. They can also reduce their water and energy bills. If homeowners have questions about their plumbing or find an area of concern when completing these tasks, they should contact a professional plumber, like All Ways Drains.

All Ways Drain is a residential, commercial and industrial plumbing company serving St Paul and the entire Twin Cities area. They specialize in drain cleaning, sewer repair, pipe replacement and other general plumbing. They can also help with kitchen and bathroom remodeling and are available when a plumbing emergency arises. For more information on spring plumbing maintenance, visit their blog at https://www.allwaysdrains.com/springtime-plumbing-checklist-from-the-experts-st-paul/.