During the spring season, you may focus on maintaining your air conditioner before the cooling season begins. In the fall, you will prepare for the upcoming heating season. Unfortunately, maintenance on your plumbing system is also helpful to ensure your fixtures, pipes, and drains are in proper working condition. Here are a few tips to consider for maintaining your home's plumbing during the spring and summer seasons.

Inspect for Leaks

A small amount of water dripping from your sink faucet can sound annoying, but it is also incredibly wasteful, which affects the environment and your bank account. While surprising to learn, it only takes 4,000 drips to equal one liter of water. This can really add up over time.

This spring and before summer starts, spend some time checking all of your faucets and showerheads for leaks. In most cases, repairing leaks will only require tightening or replacing a worn, stripped washer or nut. The small repair conserves water while saving you a great deal of money if you have a monthly water bill.

The rising temperatures of summer also mean you will most likely be using an irrigation system or garden hose more frequently. Check an underground irrigation system for leaks. If you notice certain areas of your yard are excessively moist compared to other areas, there is probably a leak located in or near the slushy area.

Make sure outdoor spigots and garden hoses are connected securely, as well. This reduces any risk of leaks and water waste.

Clean Drains

Over the year, a great deal of debris ran through all of your drains. Whether you are experiencing clogs or not, cleaning your drains is smart for preventing future clogs and potential septic issues.

Since you will need to dump buckets of excess water and debris outdoors, the summer is a great time to complete this task.

Focus on one sink at a time. Place a bucket under the sink trap and remove the nuts from the trap connections. Slowly remove the trap's cover, making sure the bucket stays under the opening to catch water and debris.

Allow the trap to drain into the bucket. Use a wire brush to scrape away any stubborn debris. It is also helpful to pour hot water through the drain down the trap for a final rinse.

After cleaning, make sure to reconnect the cover to the trap securely using the nuts. Repeat the steps for each sink drain in your home. Do not forget any sinks that may be in your garage or utility/laundry room.

Your plumbing system deserves a bit of maintenance, too. With this guide, you will be able to prepare and protect your home from plumbing leaks and costly clogs. Contact a plumbing repair service for more help.