The Essential Outdoor Plumbing Guide for Spring

Spring is most definitely in the air here in Maui, HI, which means that it’s time to take care of a number of important home maintenance tasks. In addition to throwing open the windows, letting the sunshine in and doing a deep spring clean this is the season to check a bunch of important home maintenance tasks off of your list.

Don’t forget to include your outdoor plumbing on your to-do list. It’s essential that you inspect for leaks and damage before you get into the heavier watering season. Here is what you need to do to get started.

Deal With the Sprinkler System

If you’ve got an irrigation system, don’t get too far into the spring without spending some time inspecting it to make sure everything is working correctly. To start, check every valve box for signs of moisture.

They should be dry, so if there is water inside, you may have a leak. Walk about your lawn and check out all the sprinkler heads. Make sure that they are at the right level.

If they protrude too far, they are in danger of getting damaged by the lawn mower. Also, make sure that grass hasn’t grown on top of them, and that they aren’t clogged with dirt and pebbles. If you shut your sprinkler system off in the winter, you likely removed the backflow device, which means that you’ll need to put it back in.

Check the Faucets

If there is a crack in the supply line or your hose bib, you are at risk for water damage from leaks, along with a hike in your water bill.

It’s simple to determine if you have a plumbing leak or not. You simply put your thumb over the opening of the faucet and turn the water on all the way.

If the water pressure is strong enough to push your thumb off, then you likely do not have a leak. If you can contain the water flow, then you may very well be dealing with a leak.

Replace Hoses as Necessary

This is a good time to uncoil your garden hoses and see if they have sustained any damage over the winter months.

They are made of rubber, after all, which means they will eventually crack and break.

Even a small fissure can let out a lot of water, which means inefficient watering and a higher water bill.

Clean the Gutters

Leaves commonly end up in your gutters, which can be a problem during the spring rains.

The leaves block the water flow through the downspouts, which can cause extra pressure on your roof and subsequent water damage.

The water may fall down towards the foundation of your home, which isn’t good either.

Don’t put off these tasks. They don’t take long and can really help keep your water bills down and your home leak-free.