Living in Fort Collins, Colorado, you’ve probably heard plenty of horror stories about winter coming and pipes bursting because someone forgot to set them up for winter. That’s pretty common, given the deep freezes that happen at Colorado’s elevation, but have you heard any horror stories about spring in Fort Collins? Reopening your pipes can be problematic, too, if you don’t know what you are supposed to do. Here are a few plumbing tips from our seasoned plumbers, at Hahn Plumbing, on how to get your plumbing ready for spring in Fort Collins, Colorado.
Check All Exposed Water Sources
The first thing to do is check all exposed water sources and plumbing for damage. As spring comes and the temperature rises, pipes can expand. They don’t always expand uniformly and can crack or weaken seals. Examine all sources of water in and around your house to make sure that they are not leaking or otherwise damaged.
The easiest thing to look for is water. Pipes can “sweat,” which means that they are either wearing thin (more common in PVC) or they have water leaking from an elevated seal and running down the sides of the pipes. This is a sign that there may be a leak somewhere that you need to address.
Check Water Removal Systems
You also want to check any water removal systems that you have in and around your house. For example, check your sump pump to make sure that it is functional and can still get water safely out of your house. Now that the temperature is increasing, you are more likely to have rain and groundwater moving around and possibly into your house.
Also, check your gutters and outdoor drain systems. You want to make sure that all of that extra water is properly funneled away from your house. The more you can catch outside, the less likely you are to need your sump pump.
Check Irrigation and Pools for Leaks
If you have an irrigation system, pool, or even a rainwater collection system, check all of them for leaks. Since they are exposed year-round, temperature changes can affect them even if they are closed for the season.
Pools are especially sensitive to temperature changes. It is hard to get all of the water out of a pool, including the pipes and pump system. Being underground can help stabilize the system when the temperature changes, but you want to check everything just to be sure.
Irrigation systems also have a lot of problems between seasons. Check each individual nozzle to see that it functions correctly. Cold weather and snow can cause them to crack or warp out of shape, especially if they are made of plastic.
Clean Your Hot Water System
If you have a water heater with a tank, this is the best time to clean it out. Ideally, you would do this several times per year. Sediment can build up in the tank and damage the lining or heating elements. Flushing the tank is the best way to get all of that buildup out and save your system for a few more years.
Doing this in the winter is difficult since hoses can freeze and valves can be difficult to open and close. Now that the temperatures are going up, it is the perfect time to make sure that your heater is cleaned and ready to function for another year.
If You Are Unsure, Ask For Help
If you run into a problem during your inspection or you are unsure if something is damaged, ask for help right away. At Hahn Plumbing, we can inspect your water systems and make sure that everything is just how it should be. We see plumbing horror stories every year between seasons and help customers get their plumbing back in order.
Don’t wait until you become one of those plumbing horror stories to ask for help. Call a Fort Collins plumber at Hahn Plumbing at (970) 484-7668 to schedule a repair or plumbing inspection today.