Plumbing maintenance: the small checks that prevent expensive problems
Plumbing problems are cheap when caught early and expensive when caught late. Here is a straightforward seasonal checklist for Colorado homes.
Most plumbing failures do not happen suddenly. They telegraph — a slow drain, a slightly damp cabinet, a hissing valve — for months before they become an emergency.
Twice a year, walk the house. Under every sink, around every toilet, and behind every appliance that uses water. Look for staining, warping and mineral deposits.
Test shutoff valves. Valves that have not been turned in years often will not turn when you need them.
Check hose bibs before winter. Drain, disconnect hoses and confirm the interior shutoff is working. Freeze splits are a preventable failure.
Water heater once a year. Flush sediment. Inspect the T&P valve. Check the surrounding area for signs of a slow leak.
When to call a professional. Any leak inside a wall, any drop in water pressure that has no obvious cause, and anything involving the main sewer line. These are not DIY diagnoses.
Abricos LLC coordinates plumbing work with licensed plumbing contractors on our projects; we do not perform licensed plumbing work in-house.
