The change of seasons is a really good time to make sure that we are checking our home and its systems to identify any issues or concerns BEFORE they become a serious problem.
Here is a handy list (in no particular order) of some things to check on this spring:
Locate your main building control valve - the valve that shuts off your water supply if there were an emergency - operate it, and make sure it opens and closes with ease - and inspect it for any signs of leaking and corrosion
Check all of your shut-off valves - they are normally located before most fixtures, like faucets and toilets - if there isn't a shut-off valve, you might want to consider having one installed so that fixtures can be isolated for repairs - making things go quicker, and possibly saving you from property damage if a fixture malfunctions
Check your sump pump! Make sure it is working properly - activate the pump by raising the float - inspect around the sump pit for sign of water damage - spring rains are coming!!
Make sure downspouts are free of debris and connected, and make sure water is directed as far away from your foundation as possible.
Check on your water softener - look in the brine tank and make sure that the salt level is good, and that you dont see areas of salt that look all stuck together (like a big hard glob of salt) - top up your brine tank!
Change any water filters that you have on your system - make sure that o-rings are not hard and cracked - lubricate them with food grade lubricant before hand tightening the filter housing back on.
Inspect your faucets for sign of leaks and drips - A faucet that drips just once per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons of water per year!!
If you are on a septic and you cannot remember the last time you got it pumped out - spring is a great time to do that - make sure you know where both of your lids are - having them exposed for the septic pumping company can save time and money. If you can't locate your tanks and lids - we can do that for you!
After your tank is pumped - you may want to consider having us bring our drain service (drainsthatwork.com) to your location and hydro-jetting (cleaning) your main septic line!
Check your outdoor faucet (hose-bib) and connections when using them for the first time - it is always a good idea to have someone watching inside to make sure that there are no issues bursting inside! Never leave hoses connected outdoors in freezing temperatures - not even on a frost-free hose-bib.
