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 doesn’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 mosquitos.
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 Comfort. The easiest, most economical way for us to help is through the
Johnson 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-
only discounts. Learn more today by calling us!
