Greenwood Homeowner’s Spring Maintenance Checklist: Plumbing and HVAC must-dos

Any plans for your Greenwood home this spring? You’re probably looking forward to raking the lawn to remove what’s left of last fall’s leaves. Maybe you’re planning to add grass seed in that corner where the dogs love to play. You might be sketching out a plan for that flowerbed or thinking about enlarging your vegetable garden. If you have some kind of home maintenance checklist, would you mind if we suggested adding an item? Spring is the perfect time to perform some basic maintenance on your Greenwood home’s plumbing and HVAC systems.

Does regular spring maintenance pay off?

You bet it does! Smart Greenwood homeowners invest the time and effort into making sure that all of their home’s key systems – including plumbing, heating, and cooling – are far less likely to break down when they’re needed most. Not only does regular spring maintenance reduce the potential for breakdowns, but it can also lower your energy costs and help you get more years of reliable performance from your home’s key systems.

Start by checking for damage

Freezing temperatures can cause damage to both plumbing and HVAC systems. Even if that damage doesn’t prevent a system from working, it increases the likelihood that it will break down when you need it most. Check your Greenwood home’s pipes for cracks or leaks caused by freezing. Focus on pipes in unheated areas like basements, crawl spaces, and garages. Test your outdoor spigots for leaks by turning them on and making sure they flow correctly. Examine your home’s furnace, air conditioner, and ductwork for signs of rust or corrosion. Make sure your ducts are properly insulated and don’t have any gaps.

Examine and test your sump pump

Greenwood homeowners count on their sump pumps to protect their homes from damage caused by water where it shouldn’t be. Unfortunately, like every other home appliance, sump pumps can and do break down occasionally. To make sure yours is ready for the next heavy rain, verify that it’s properly connected to a reliable power source (preferably a GFCI-protected outlet) and that there’s no visible damage to the cord or any other electrical components. Sump pumps use what’s known as a float switch. When you pour water into the sump pit, the float should rise, which will start the pump. In addition, check outdoors to verify that the water is draining to the proper location.

Flush your water heater

If your Greenwood home uses a tank-type water heater, it works extra hard during the winter months. That means more sediment from your water supply can build up inside, reducing the water heater’s efficiency and lifespan. Flushing it in the spring can improve performance. Simply turn off the power supply, attach a garden hose to the drain valve, and completely empty the tank. Turn it back on and allow it to refill.

Check your air conditioner’s operation

It might seem silly to think about your Greenwood home’s air conditioning when the weather’s still chilly, but spotting and addressing problems now means your system will be less likely to break down on the first evening you really need it. Remove leaves, dirt, and debris from the condenser unit, and rinse the coils gently with your garden hose. Inspect the ductwork for visible leaks or damage and seal them with duct tape or mastic sealant. Remove dust and debris from supply and return vents. Be sure to replace the air filters regularly.

Inspect outdoor drainage

Your home’s drainage system is designed to move water away from your Greenwood home to minimize flooding, seepage, and other potential damage. Start by cleaning your gutters and making sure the downspouts aren’t blocked by debris. Those downspouts should direct water at least five feet away from your home’s foundation. Make sure stormwater isn’t pooling in your yard, which can hurt your landscaping and encourage the breeding of pesky mosquitoes.

Outdoor plumbing, too

Once the risk of freezing has passed, reconnect your garden hoses and check for leaks or cracks before use. If you have an irrigation system, test it to make sure all sprinkler heads and other components are operating properly and focused on the right areas.

Keep paying attention

Spring maintenance is just the starting point. It’s important to continue monitoring your Greenwood home’s plumbing and HVAC systems so you can detect and address problems before they become serious. For example, odd sounds like rattling or hissing could mean a system was about to fail. An unexplained increase in your water bill could signal a hidden leak. Finally, watch for dampness or mold growth near your plumbing fixtures and HVAC units. If you encounter problems like these, it’s time to get help from professionals you trust.

We make spring maintenance easy

If you don’t have the time or the energy to handle all those maintenance tasks on your own, we know someone who can help: the plumbing and HVAC experts at Johnson Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing. The easiest, most economical way for us to help is through the Comfort Club. As a member, your affordable monthly subscription covers your home inspections at the right time of year, so we can spot …and fix … potential problems. Regular maintenance can reduce your energy bills and extend the service life of your Greenwood home’s systems. You’ll also receive member discounts. Learn more today by calling (317) 714-0936 today!