May5

By Dave Bangar

Top 5 Plumbing Fixes for Spring Homeowners in Kelowna

Spring is the perfect time to reorganize and refresh your home. As we come out of the cozy gloom of winter and prepare for the energy of summer, spring is the perfect time to check in on your household plumbing maintenance list. To help you keep your plumbing system in tip-top shape, My Plumber Kelowna has outlined the most important spring plumbing fixes for Kelowna homeowners.

We will cover some of the most common plumbing fixes, some DIY remedies, and when to call for professional help from your Kelowna plumber.

Inspect Your Sump Pump

For Kelowna homeowners with a basement, a sump pump is your line of defence against flooding. A sump pump moves excess water away from the foundation of your home to keep everything dry in the depths of your home. Spring is a prime season for flooding to occur and testing your sump pump only takes a few minutes if added to your spring cleaning list. 

To inspect your sump pump, start by locating the exit pipe to ensure it is not clogged with debris. If it is, take some time to clear out as much as possible. Next, you will want to test that your sump pump runs properly. Here you have two options:

• If your sump pump has two electrical cords, identify which one goes to the float switch and which goes to the motor. Unplug both, and then plug in just the one going to the pump. If the pump doesn’t turn on immediately, your sump pump needs to be repaired or a new sump pump needs to be installed. If the pump works properly, reconnect the other plug and you’re done.
• If your sump pump has one cord or if you can’t identify which plug is which, you can test your pump by pouring around 20 litres of water into your sump pump. The pump should turn on automatically as the float rises, pump the water through the exit pipe, and turn off automatically when the water is finished pumping out. If it fails to turn on or off, your pump needs to be repaired or replaced.

Check for Outdoor Leaks

Winter can be rough on your outdoor faucets and pipes, making spring the perfect time to check in on them before letting them sit and leak all summer and fall. A simple way to check for leaks is to turn on your outdoor water supply and look for a drop in water pressure in your house or any visible leaking around faucets and connection points. 

To test your water pressure, you can call your local plumber to come check up on your plumbing systems, or you can do it yourself with a pressure gauge. 

To test water pressure, turn off every fixture in your home and attach the gauge to a faucet or hose bib. The gauge should read between 45 and 80 psi. If it is below 45 psi or above 80 psi it is time to call a plumber. 

Clear Your Clogs

Help improve your sink and shower draining by adding declogging to your spring cleaning list. Hair, soap, and debris can clog up drains over time, and it is a cleaning task that often gets put on the back burner. Take this time to use a drain snake to remove hair and bulky debris, and flush out your drains by using baking soda and vinegar, then flushing with hot water.

Check Your Water Supply Valves

Water supply valves act as shut-offs for faucets and toilets so they can be shut off in the face of an emergency or when in need of maintenance. While deep cleaning your bathroom, take a moment to exercise your shut-off valves by closing and opening them a few times to help prevent them from seizing up. 

Get Your Water Heater Inspected

Your water heater works over time in the winter, supplying hot water to soothe your winter chill, making spring the perfect time to give it a little TLC. It is recommended to check and service your water heater for leaks and any other issues at least once per year. A lot of water heater maintenance can be done yourself with a little know-how and care. However, if it is beyond the level of maintenance that you are comfortable with, a professional plumber can help you handle all of your spring maintenance needs with confidence.

Call My Plumber Kelowna for Help with Your Spring Plumbing Needs

Whether you catch a stubborn clog, have a leaky pipe emergency, or want to give your water heater some professional attention, the plumbers at My Plumber Kelowna are here to lend a hand. Give us a call to schedule an appointment today.