Spring Cleaning Checklist

Even though we are still in the middle of our Chicagoland winter, and even though we all know that we can expect one last snowstorm even into May, you may already be dreaming of spring. For many of us, springtime gets us in the mood to throw open the windows and do a bit of cleaning as we fluff our home in the new season. While you might not be able to start your big spring cleaning projects quite yet, you can start to plan your attack so that when nice days begin to show up in the forecast, you are ready to take advantage of it.

As you begin to plan your spring cleaning projects, don’t forget to include a few that include your household plumbing.

• Use a drain cleaner to rinse out the drains in your home, especially those in and around your basement.
• Take a good look at your gutters. Clean them out from debris they have collected over the winter and replace anything that is damaged.
• Clean the traps under your sinks, especially those in your laundry room, kitchen and bathroom.
• Take a moment to listen to your water heater, run your garbage disposal, and look at your sump pump. If something isn’t working quite right or sounds different, give us a call so that we can investigate for you. It’s always better to catch a problem before it starts causing major damage or inconvenience.
• Walk around your home, looking for any signs of slow leaks. Be sure you go through every floor in your house, looking for discoloration on ceilings, buckled flooring, or other signs of possible damage.
• Clean your shower heads and faucets. All of that mineral buildup isn’t good for your water flow.
• Clean your washing machine, including emptying the lint trap and running an empty cycle.
• Dream about your next bathroom or kitchen remodel project, solidifying your budget and aesthetic preferences.

These plumbing related tasks don’t take too much time, and your home (and pipes) will thank you. Remember, if you aren’t sure if your appliances are working correctly, be sure to contact us for a consultation. We’d love to help you be sure that your home is ready for all the seasons.