Spring Is the Perfect Time for a Plumbing Checkup
Spring in Bradenton means warmer days, blooming landscaping, and the start of our busy season here at Rosco Plumbing. It is also the ideal time to give your home's plumbing a quick once-over before the summer heat — and hurricane season — arrive. A little preventive maintenance now can save you from expensive surprises later.
Here is a simple checklist any Manatee County homeowner can work through in an afternoon. Some items you can handle yourself, and for others you may want to call in a professional.
Indoor Checks
Start by checking under every sink in your home for drips, moisture, or signs of past leaks like staining or warped cabinet floors. Test each faucet and flush every toilet. A toilet that runs after flushing is wasting water and money — and in Florida, where we pay for both water and sewer, that adds up fast. Check your water heater for any signs of rust, leaking, or unusual noises.
- Inspect under all sinks for leaks or moisture
- Test every faucet for drips or low pressure
- Flush all toilets and listen for running
- Check water heater for rust or pooling water
- Test the water heater pressure relief valve
- Run water in seldom-used fixtures to refresh drain traps
Related: five signs your water heater needs attention, why your toilet keeps running
Outdoor Checks
Outside, inspect your hose bibs and outdoor faucets. While we do not get the hard freezes that northern states do, even a mild Florida cold snap can stress older outdoor faucets. Check your irrigation system connections for leaks and make sure sprinkler heads are not soaking the foundation of your home — that is a recipe for settling and pipe stress in our sandy Manatee County soil.
Take a moment to locate your main water shutoff valve and make sure it turns freely. Many homeowners have never tested theirs, and a seized valve during an emergency is a serious problem.
- Test outdoor faucets and hose bibs for drips
- Inspect irrigation connections for leaks
- Clear debris from exterior drain grates
- Locate and test your main water shutoff valve
Consider a Professional Inspection
If your home was built in the 1980s or 1990s — and many in Bradenton were — spring is a great time to have a plumber check for polybutylene piping. This gray plastic pipe was used extensively in Florida construction during that era and is known to deteriorate from the inside out, often failing without visible warning signs. A quick inspection can give you peace of mind or help you plan ahead for a repipe if needed.
If you would like a professional set of eyes on your plumbing this spring, Rosco Plumbing is happy to help. Call us at (941) 345-2464 to schedule an inspection.
Related: professional plumbing maintenance
A quick spring plumbing checkup is one of the best investments you can make in your Bradenton home. Catch small problems now, and you will head into summer and hurricane season with confidence.