It’s time to address potential plumbing issues before they turn into costly problems!
Now that spring’s in full swing, your plumbing system needs attention to function properly throughout the warmer months ahead. Here are the essential spring plumbing tasks every Goshen homeowner should tackle now.
Inspect Exterior Faucets for Past Winter Damage
Winter can be harsh on your outdoor plumbing. First, check if you accidentally left a hose connected over winter, as this commonly leads to damage. If you have a basement where pipes are visible, have someone turn on each outdoor faucet while you check inside for leaks.
Watch the water flow from each faucet – sputtering or inconsistent pressure may indicate pipe damage inside your walls. Check carefully for leaks around handles and pipe connections. Early detection prevents water waste and potential structural damage to your home.
If you discover any problems, contact Mechanical Man’s professional plumbers immediately—what looks like minor exterior damage often indicates more significant issues within your walls.
Assess Your Water Pressure
Many Goshen homes experience pressure changes as seasons transition. Low pressure can indicate pipe problems, while excessive pressure may damage appliances and fixtures.
Test your pressure by filling a one-gallon container from your kitchen faucet. If it takes more than 20 seconds to fill, your pressure may be too low. Conversely, if water splashes forcefully from fixtures, your pressure might be too high.
Ideal residential water pressure falls between 40-65 PSI. Our technicians can measure your pressure accurately and install regulators if needed to protect your plumbing system and appliances from damage.
Examine Your Water Heater
Listen for unusual sounds like popping or rumbling, which typically indicate sediment buildup. Check the area around your water heater for moisture or small puddles that could signal tank deterioration or connection leaks.
If your unit is over eight years old or showing signs of wear, schedule a professional inspection to determine whether maintenance can extend its life or if replacement would be more economical before a complete failure occurs.
Test All Drains for Proper Flow
Slow drains aren’t just annoying—they signal developing clogs that can lead to messy backups and damage.
Pour a gallon of water down each drain in your home and observe how quickly it flows away. Any gurgling sounds or slow drainage indicates potential blockage. Pay special attention to less-frequently used fixtures like guest bathroom sinks or floor drains, where problems often develop unnoticed.
For minor slowdowns, try biological drain cleaners rather than harsh chemicals, which can damage older pipes common in many Goshen homes. For persistent slow drains, professional drain cleaning services can prevent more serious backups.
Check All Visible Pipes and Connections
Temperature fluctuations can stress pipes and connections, creating small leaks that worsen over time.
Inspect all exposed plumbing under sinks, behind toilets, and in basements or crawl spaces. Look for any signs of moisture, corrosion, or mineral buildup around connections. Pay special attention to P-traps (the curved pipes under sinks), which often develop leaks at their connection points.
Even small drips can waste hundreds of gallons of water and eventually cause structural damage. We can tighten loose connections and replace any corroded components before they fail completely.
Inspect Toilet Components
Toilets account for approximately 30% of indoor water usage, making them prime candidates for efficiency improvements and leak checks.
Test for tank leaks by adding food coloring to the tank water—if color appears in the bowl without flushing, you have a leak. Check the flush handle for proper operation and inspect the supply line for any signs of wear or corrosion.
For toilets that run intermittently or continuously, replacing the flapper or fill valve typically solves the problem. These simple repairs can save thousands of gallons of water annually.
Locate and Test All Shut-Off Valves
When plumbing emergencies occur, functioning shut-off valves become crucial.
Find and test every water shut-off valve in your home, from the main valve to individual fixture valves. Turn each valve off and on to ensure it moves smoothly without leaking. Have severely corroded valves replaced before they fail when you need them most.
Make sure every family member knows where the main water shut-off is located.
Consider a Professional Plumbing Inspection
Our Mechanical Man technicians use specialized equipment to detect hidden leaks, check sewer line conditions, and assess water quality. We evaluate your entire plumbing system’s health, helping prevent emergencies and extending the life of your fixtures and appliances.
For many Goshen homes, particularly older properties with original plumbing, a professional inspection pays for itself by identifying small issues before they become expensive emergencies.
Spring Plumbing Issues Common to Goshen Homes
Goshen’s specific soil conditions and water quality create unique challenges for local plumbing systems.
Our area’s hard water can accelerate appliance wear and create mineral buildup in pipes during winter months when water typically sits longer in your plumbing system. Additionally, our clay-heavy soil shifts during spring thaws, potentially affecting underground pipes and sewer connections.
Many older Goshen homes also have galvanized steel pipes, which are particularly vulnerable to corrosion and internal restriction after decades of use. Spring is the ideal time to evaluate these aging systems.
Don’t let plumbing problems disrupt your summer plans. Contact Mechanical Man today at (574) 301-5748 to schedule your comprehensive spring plumbing check-up!