Spring Plumbing Checklist: Get Your Home Ready for the Season

Winter's over. Let's make sure your plumbing survived—and prep for the busy season ahead.

I'm Justin Sims, and spring is one of my favorite times of year for plumbing—not because problems spike, but because it's the perfect time for prevention. A little attention now catches small issues before they become summer emergencies.

Here's my complete spring plumbing checklist for Hill Country homeowners.

Check for Winter Damage

Before anything else, let's assess what winter left behind.

Inspect All Outdoor Faucets

Turn on each outdoor faucet and watch closely:

• **Water flows normally?** Good.
• **Dripping when turned off?** Internal damage—likely a washer or the whole fixture.
• **Water spraying from the wall or pipe behind the faucet?** Pipe burst inside the wall—call immediately.
• **No water at all?** Could be a frozen section that hasn't thawed, or a closed shut-off valve.

Check Exposed Pipes

Walk around your home's exterior and inspect:

• Visible pipes on exterior walls
• Garage pipes
• Crawl space pipes (use a flashlight)

Look for:

• Cracks or splits in the pipe
• Bulging sections
• Frost damage or corrosion
• Active drips or leaks

Inspect the Water Heater

After working hard all winter, your water heater deserves attention:

• Look for rust or corrosion on the tank or connections
• Check for water pooling at the base
• Listen for unusual sounds (popping, rumbling)
• Note if hot water seems less hot or runs out faster

Spring is the ideal time for water heater maintenance—flushing the tank, checking the anode rod, and testing the pressure relief valve.

Indoor Plumbing Check

Under Every Sink

Open those cabinet doors and look for:

• Signs of moisture or water stains
• Drips from supply lines or P-traps
• Mold or mildew smell
• Soft or warped cabinet floor

If you see any issues, address them now before they become bigger problems.

Check Every Toilet

For each toilet:

1. Flush and watch—does it flush completely?
2. Does it keep running after the tank fills?
3. Is the base secure (no rocking)?
4. Any water around the base?
5. Does the tank fill at a reasonable speed?

**The dye test:** Drop some food coloring in the tank. Wait 15 minutes without flushing. If color appears in the bowl, the flapper is leaking.

Run All Faucets

Turn on each faucet in the house—hot and cold—and check for:

• Good water pressure
• Consistent flow (not sputtering)
• Proper temperature
• Any drips when turned off
• Strange noises

Include basement/utility sinks and guest bathrooms that may not have been used much over winter.

Test Drains

Fill each sink, tub, and shower with a few inches of water, then release:

• **Drains quickly?** Good.
• **Slow drain?** Partial clog or venting issue.
• **Gurgling sounds?** Venting problem.
• **Complete backup?** Major clog needs attention.

Catching slow drains now prevents mid-summer backups.

Outdoor Prep

Clean Gutters and Downspouts

I know—this doesn't seem like plumbing. But clogged gutters lead to:

• Water pooling near the foundation
• Basement or crawl space flooding
• Soil erosion around your home

Make sure water routes away from your foundation, not toward it.

Inspect Your Sump Pump

If you have a sump pump:

1. Check that it's plugged in
2. Pour a bucket of water into the pit—does the pump activate?
3. Does water discharge properly?
4. Is the discharge line clear of debris?
5. Test the backup battery if you have one

Spring rains can overwhelm a sump pump that's been sitting idle. Test before you need it.

Check Outdoor Drains

French drains, yard drains, and catch basins:

• Clear debris from grates
• Flush with a hose to check flow
• Note any standing water that doesn't drain

Irrigation System Inspection

Time to bring the sprinklers back online:

1. Turn on the water supply slowly
2. Run each zone and watch for:

- Broken heads

- Geyser effects (broken underground line)

- Heads spraying in wrong directions

- Low pressure (possible leak)

Repair any damage before the hot months when you'll need the system daily.

Pool Equipment

If you have a pool:

• Inspect pump and filter for leaks
• Check all connections
• Replace drain plugs removed for winter
• Inspect the heater before firing it up

Preventive Maintenance Tasks

Spring is ideal for these tune-ups:

Water Heater Maintenance

Tank water heaters:

• Flush 2-3 gallons to remove sediment