While other companies are filling their Blogs and Social Media with coverage with tips on staying safe during COVID-19, Horton Plumbing has decided to switch it up! We know that home maintenance is often the first thing to be thrown on the backburner when life gets busy. With the time we all have newly acquired do to the recent “stay in place” order it is the perfect time to get to essential home maintenance tasks.
As plumbers we are often called out for service do to damage from water. One of the number one ways you can maintain your home is to prevent water damage in the first place. Projects that stem from water damage are often expensive and time consuming while almost always being preventable. It can be quite devastating to experience loss of personal belongings due to something that is preventable in the first place.
Home Maintenance – Tips to Help Prevent Water Damage
- Sump Pumps – Your homes sump pump systems should be regularly tested to verify they are functioning as intended. Flooding can occur even after the mildest of rains when a sump pump stops operating properly. If you live in an area that experiences rain frequently we recommend not only having a primary sump pump installed but also a backup system as added insurance. Water operated or battery operated back up sump pump is an inexpensive alternative to a flooded basement.
- Gutters, Downspouts, & Drain Lines – Clear debris from gutters, downspouts and drain lines to help prevent blockages. Cleaning the homes gutters and downspouts at the beginning of the spring season and the end of fall season will help to keep things functioning properly and moves the water away from the home. Drain lines should be cleaned (drains snaked) regularly to prevent blockages, especially with drains that have known issues. Keeping drains free of roots and improper product disposal helps eliminate drains backing up into the home.
- Bathtubs, Showers, Toilets, & Sinks – Check the seals and replace as needed. Don’t forget to check supply lines to check for loosening between the connections as well as the wax ring that keeps your toilet in place. If you notice water of any kind and it doesn’t stop with the tightening of the connections it may be time to replace them.
- Water Heater – It is important to check your water heater itself out for corrosion at the base. This corrosion can lead to holes which will cause water to leak. At the first signs of weakening at the base of the water heater, you will want to consider replacing the unit. It may still be producing hot water but at the risk that the corrosion around the base may create a hole that causes water to leak out of the unit.
Let us know what types of home maintenance and improvement plans you have on your list while you take advantage of this time. Are there any tricks you use to make sure that much needed maintenance is completed regularly around your home?
Horton Plumbing and Remodeling is open to service the urgent plumbing needs of Southeast Michigan during COVID-19. Please call the office to schedule an appointment at 734.455.3332. If you or a member of your household is sick or experiencing symptoms we ask that you cancel or wait to schedule service in an effort to protect the health and safety of our team and the community we continue to service.
