Get Your Outdoor Plumbing Ready for Spring With These Tips

When spring arrives it is energizing, which is why it is such a great season to take on home maintenance. After a long winter, no doubt your home could use a good deep spring clean.

Additionally, you should do some seasonal maintenance on some of your home’s components, like your outdoor plumbing. Your outdoor plumbing is subject to the elements, which means it may be vulnerable to leaks. Here are some handy tips to help out.

Check Your Sprinkler

With the high heat of spring and summer only weeks away, make sure that your sprinkler system is up to the task. Inspect your lawn for puddles or pools of bubbling water. Sunken patches also indicate a leak.

Open up valve boxes to check for water. Rodents love to nest in there and they also like to chew on the wires. Check the regulator and make sure that the settings are what you want.

Aim for early morning or overnight for the best results. Also replace backup batteries. Take a look at the sprinkler heads. If any are cracked or broken, replace them. Trim away the grass if it has grown over the sprinkler head.

Check Your Hose

Given that your hoses are made of rubber or plastic, they are prone to damage. Even a slight tear will have you wasting water.

Avoid leaving hoses out too long in the sun; don’t let them get kinked, because that will cause wear and tear. You can keep your hoses going longer by storing them properly. Try a hose caddy.

Clean Gutters

Get all the leaves and debris out of your gutters. If they are full of junk, the water can’t drain to the downspouts, which means that it will either stay on your roof, or drain close to your foundation.

This can lead to leaks. Get on your ladder and clear the gutters with a broom. While you are up there, check for damage or signs of leaks.

Faucet Test

If you’ve got a leaky outdoor faucet, here is how you tell. Turn the faucet on to full and place the palm of your hand over the spigot. The water should push your hand back.

If you are able to contain the water, you’ve got a leak. The water pressure should be higher. Follow this guide and you’ll prevent most leaks. You’ll also know how to identify them and know when to call your Reno, NV plumber.