The weather is getting a little warmer, the days are a little longer, and lingering tasks are getting checked off a litter faster. This can only mean spring is right around the corner!
After a long, cold winter, it’s time to take a tour of the inside and outside of your house to check for potential damages left behind by Mother Nature. We always like to remind our We Love Plumbing readers that it’s important to handle damages when they seem like a minor task, because if an issue is left alone for an extended period of time, the damages may worsen and become too difficult to fix on your own.
Here are a few things you should be on the lookout for and consider adding to your spring-cleaning list.
Damaged Pipes
Winnipeg is known for its cold winters, which unfortunately often leads to frozen pipes. We have a previous blog post dedicated to all things frozen pipes – how to mitigate this issue, and what to do if your pipes are already frozen. You can check it out here if you suspect a frozen pipe in your home.
Otherwise, be sure to visit your kitchen, bathroom, laundry, and other plumbing areas in your home for any new leaks. Once your indoor inspection is complete, head outside to check your drains, gutters, and downspouts for any leaves and debris left behind from the fall and winter season. Built up debris can cause clogs, which may lead to water damage. While outside, look out for bird nests that could be blocking your pipes and vents.
Outdoor Hose Bib
While we don’t recommend it, we know that garden hoses often tend to sit outside all winter long, screwed into the hose bib. With Winnipeg’s cold winter, chances are the leftover water from the pipes have frozen, which could have expanded the hose bib resulting in a crack. We recommended unscrewing the garden hose from the hose bib and looking for any leaks. If you notice a leak from the pipe, replace it immediately to prevent water damage. Take care of this task now, so that when the weather warms up, you’ll be able to use your garden hose with peace of mind.
Issues Causing Mold and Mildew
Moist and damp places are where mold and mildew make themselves at home. They won’t destroy your house immediately but will leave an unpleasant odour and discoloration on your walls or ceilings. If you notice new mold, it’s a sign that there is a leak in your house. These leaks are not always from troublesome pipes but could come from appliances such as an air conditioner, or the laundry machine. Other times, it could be constant water spilling on your bathroom floors. When you notice mold or mildew, examine to see where it is coming from to help you create an action plan. If the cause for the mold is from a pipe, call one of our plumbers to repair it, if its due to an appliance you’ll have to call the manufacturer, and if it’s from the bathroom floor, you may have to consider speaking to a contractor about a long-term solution.
At We Love Plumbing, we always put our customers first and ensure our work meets the highest standards. If you find yourself in need of plumbing services or would like us to take care of you spring plumbing repairs, give us a call at 204-654-6106 and we’ll get a local Winnipeg plumber to you right away!