Surviving your first winter in a new home is a moment of relief. But while you were keeping up with snow removal and cranking the heat, your plumbing system took a beating.
Between freeze-thaw cycles and extended use of your water heater, every room in your house can cause massive plumbing problems once the temperatures rise above freezing.
Our spring plumbing checklist for new homeowners walks you through every area of your home, room by room, so you know exactly what to look for, what you can handle yourself, and when it’s time to call a pro.
The Importance of Spring Plumbing for Chicago Homeowners
For areas in the Midwest, spring brings an entirely new slate of potential unexpected plumbing problems that can ruin any new homeowner’s day.
One of the most common causes of spring plumbing issues is Chicagoland’s freeze-thaw cycles. What happens is water freezes, expands in pipes, then the ice melts, increasing the pressure and causing chaos.
Every single freeze-thaw cycle weakens your pipes a little more until it gets too bad and you end up with a busted pipe.
If that isn’t bad enough, spring typically means it’s broken sump pump season. When the snow in your back melts into the soil, water pressure builds up around the foundation and seeps into the basement through the soil.
The sump pump’s job is to collect that water in a pit and discharge it away from the home before it floods the basement, but since it’s been off most of the winter, there’s a large initial discharge of energy at the beginning of spring to get everything moving.
If your new home often loses power in the spring, most sump pumps don’t use an external battery backup, which can lead to failures.
Since the water entering your water heater in the winter is colder, you can expect it to run much harder than it would in the summer. Because of the heavy usage in the colder months, there’s always the possibility that its efficiency drops.
Warm temperatures bring their own type of plumbing problems, which is why it’s so important to keep an eye on your plumbing and schedule regular maintenance check-ups before small repairs become major replacements.
A Room-by-Room Spring Plumbing Checklist
As a new homeowner, you’ve got a lot on your plate already. That’s why we took some time to put together this room-by-room spring plumbing checklist to guide you through some of the most common plumbing issues we see every spring.
And of course, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to Flader Plumbing and Heating for regularly scheduled maintenance.
Exterior and Foundation of Your New Home
- Check outdoor faucets (hose bibs) for freeze damage, specifically looking for drips or reduced flow
- Inspect the sump pump. You can test it by pouring water into the pit
- Look for signs of foundation seepage or pooling near the home
- Clear debris from window wells and drains
Kitchen
- Run water and check under the sink for slow drips or signs of moisture
- Check the garbage disposal for odors or sluggish draining
- Inspect the dishwasher connection for leaks
Bathrooms
- Check all faucets and showerheads for drips
- Test toilet for phantom flushing. One way to check is by putting food dye in the upper tank
- Look under sinks for moisture, mold, or slow drains
- Check caulking around tubs and showers
Basement and Utility Room
- Inspect the water heater for rust, corrosion, or sediment buildup
- Flush your water tank yearly
- Look for signs of cracking or corrosion on exposed pipes. This is a bigger problem in older homes.
- Check the main water shut-off valve
- Test the water pressure
Yard and Drainage
- Inspect irrigation systems before first use
- Check downspouts are directing water away from the foundation (minimum 6 ft)
- Look for soft spots in the yard that could indicate underground pipe leaks
Signs You Should Call a Plumber
Even if you’ve gone through the checklist, you’re still unsure if it’s time to call a plumber.
One of the clearest signs that something is wrong is the moment you see your water pressure drop. But not just a single faucet, slow water pressure affecting every single fixture is the sign of a major issue.
Keep a lookout for discolored water, which might be a sign of a burst pipe.
Another major concern is whether you see any signs of water stains on your ceilings or walls. Even a small leak is a sign that there is a leak somewhere, and any moisture leads to mold and structural damage.
If you’re in need of any type of plumbing repair or see signs of something wrong, don’t hesitate to call Flader Plumbing and Heating, and one of our experienced technicians will be happy to help.
Need a Plumbing Repair? Call Flader Plumbing and Heating Today.
Flader Plumbing and Heating has been helping Chicagoland homeowners protect their homes for over 100 years. Our certified technicians know what Chicago winters do to plumbing systems and how to protect your new home from water damage.
Finally ready to check spring plumbing off your list for good? Schedule your spring plumbing appointment with Flader today.
