Spring is the ideal time to inspect your plumbing for damage from winter cold and prepare your system for the high-demand summer months ahead. Even a mild Big Country winter can cause hidden problems — slow leaks from freeze-stressed joints, sediment buildup in your water heater, and tree roots that took hold in cracked sewer lines during dormancy. Spending an hour on these ten checks can save you thousands in emergency repairs.
Check Outdoor Hose Bibs
First, inspect all outdoor hose bibs. Turn on each one and look for leaks at the handle, the spout, and where the faucet body meets the wall. If water sprays from around the stem or the flow is noticeably reduced, the hose bib may have been damaged by freezing. Also check for water stains on the interior wall behind each hose bib, which indicates a leak inside the wall.
Inspect Your Water Heater
Second, check your water heater. Look for pooled water around the base, corrosion on fittings, and rust stains on the tank. Test the T&P valve. If you did not flush the tank in the fall, do it now before summer increases your hot water demand. Spring is also a good time to check the anode rod if it has been two or more years since the last inspection.
Test Every Faucet and Toilet
Third, test every faucet and toilet in the house. Run each faucet and flush each toilet. Listen for running water after the flush — a running toilet can waste 200 gallons per day. Check under sinks for drips or moisture. Verify that the hot water reaches each fixture within a reasonable time.
Clear Drains and Screens
Fourth, clear all drain screens and stoppers. Hair, soap residue, and debris accumulate over winter. Remove and clean the stoppers in bathroom sinks and tub drains. Pour hot water down each drain to flush minor buildup. If any drain is sluggish, address it now before it becomes a full blockage during summer.
Test Your Sump Pump
Fifth, check your sump pump if you have one. Pour a bucket of water into the sump pit and verify the pump activates, pumps the water out, and shuts off properly. Spring storms in the Big Country can dump heavy rain in short periods, and a failed sump pump during a storm can mean a flooded garage or utility room.
Look for Freeze Damage and Check Pressure
Sixth, inspect visible pipes in your garage, utility room, and under sinks for signs of freeze damage — cracks, bulges, wet spots, or green staining on copper. Freeze damage can cause slow leaks that go unnoticed for weeks. Seventh, check your water pressure. Low pressure throughout the house may indicate a partially closed valve, a leak in the main line, or mineral buildup restricting flow.
Inspect Irrigation and Backflow
Eighth, inspect your irrigation system before turning it on for the season. Run each zone and walk the yard looking for broken heads, leaking valves, and soggy spots that indicate underground line breaks. Ninth, verify your backflow preventer is functioning and schedule your annual TCEQ test if it is due. Tenth, check your water meter for a leak test — turn off all water, note the meter, wait 20 minutes, and check again.
If your spring checkup reveals any issues, Total Quality Plumbing can address them before they escalate. We serve homeowners throughout Abilene, Clyde, Merkel, Tuscola, and the Big Country. Call (325) 266-4887 for prompt, professional service with upfront pricing.