Mr. Swirl is back again with spring plumbing tips to have a trouble-free and amazing spring.

Here in our beautiful British Columbia, the blossoms started to bloom, marking the start of spring. With the weather warming up, here are a few spring plumbing tips to ensure your plumbing is not damaged from the thawing of the ground and warmer weather outside.

Vancouver is known for its heavy rainfall (hence the nickname Raincouver) and the effects of the rainfall are very prevalent in the piping systems of your house after the rainy seasons. However, the start of spring does not mean that the rain stops, as the spring season is one of the more rainy seasons in British Columbia, specifically the Burnaby region with plenty of spring showers.

The first thing that we recommend to prepare for spring and warmer weather, but possibly windy and rainy months, is to get a regular cleaning of your drains, gutters, and downspout. This is crucial as it protects your house from unexpected accidents and other incidents such as flooding. Think of your house’s plumbing system as the health indicator of your house. If you do not tend to the drains, gutters, and downspouts of your house, it is the equivalent of ignoring a sharp and damaging gastrointestinal disease. The longer you wait, the harsher the condition, and in this case the more severe the plumbing issue, to the point of physical and costly damage. Some damages are irreversible, so it’s best to not ignore any of your house’s issues.

Spring flooding is a common issue that arises in the upcoming months. This problem is the most damaging to houses with basements, and it is located on a lower level than the house itself and is the most likely to flood. In order to prevent spring flooding, especially with all the wetter grounds due to the spring showers, it is crucial to get your drains cleaned. A partially or fully blocked drain is the main reason that spring flooding may occur.

With an accessible drain according to the BC Plumbing Code, the main ways the clearing of the drains is conducted are using augers, also known as plumbing snake, appropriate for the drain size, and hydro jetting. Augers are cable machines that are used to break down the buildup inside of fully blocked pipes, and hydro jetting follows the process, which is a pressure wash for inside the pipes and the plumbing system. Hydro jetting itself is used to clear partially blocked pipes, as the water pressure is capable of restoring the drain back to its original condition.

Check your walls where your pipes run inside your house. Always ensure that there is not any visible evidence of leaks and such stains on your walls. A strong sign of an internal leak is the discolouration of your walls, meaning your plumbing pipes are leaking. Checking under your sinks and aligning the pipes located there are also great indications of whether a pipe has burst inside the wall. A leak can lead to many different outcomes. However, a major leak could lead to flooding and damage to your flooring, walls, and possibly appliances and furniture.

A great rule of thumb is to know where the pipes run in your walls. Check them regularly to ensure that no leaks are happening that you are not aware of. This could lead to worse issues in your pipes for plumbing, especially if you live in an older home or have not got your plumbing inspected in a long time. The best option is to call Mr. Swirl The Friendly Plumber and to come in and inspect your house and its plumbing parts, for ease of mind, and not having to deal with structural damage.

Most often, homeowners are unaware that they actually have to check their water heater regularly. They need to ensure that the temperature is at an optimum degree in accordance with the outside weather. As you may expect, it’s logical to have to lower the temperature to prevent potential damage to the systems. However, it is also to help prevent burning your skin! The usual temperature of your water heater must be at most 49 degrees Celcius to match the warmer weather. In the spring and summer months, it should be lowered more so as to be cautious of the heat waves. This temperature adjustment is to prevent overly heated water and the environment that damage the pipes during the warmer months.

Here’s a checklist for you to go through and ensure there are no plumbing problems in your house. Keep your place in top shape for the warmer months ahead.

1. Check your water heater! Ensure the temperature is not higher than 48° to 49° Celcius.
2. Double-check your washing machine and dishwashers for any leaks or potential plumbing problems close to happening.
3. Check your toilet tanks for any leaks that are hidden. Additionally, check the tank and add some food colouring to the toilet tank. If the colour gets into your toilet bowl water after 30 minutes to 1 hour, then there is a leak.
4. If there are any colour changes, there is a leak. Look for as many details as possible. Make sure there is no water around your toilet on the floor as well. Check all your faucets and hoses. The weather can be quite unstable in spring. Thus, it is best to check all your outdoor plumbing fixtures to ensure there are no leaks.
5. If you have a sump pump, test it and make sure it is working. If the water is not eliminated, get the line cleaned in case there is any blockage.

 

Our final bonus tip is to avoid using your sprinklers as the grounds are still frozen and cold. It’s best to leave the sprinkler usage to summertime when it’s most needed in the area, and would not cause sudden damage with a temperature drop. These are some of the highly recommended tips for warming up from the weather.  Mr. Swirl is here to help you with any of the above-mentioned tips. Our technicians are professionally trained plumbers and can conduct these services quickly and efficiently, and leave no mess! Whether you need an emergency plumber or a plumber near you, Mr. Swirl’s team is always available 24/7 at 604.435.4664. You can also visit our website if you live in Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge, Surrey, Langley, Port Moody, Burnaby, Mission, or New Westminster to book your plumbing services today!