Check for Plumbing Leaks

Avoid expensive plumbing repairs and flooding damage with a little maintenance. You can even do many of these yourself, without the help of a professional.

First, inspect for obvious signs of plumbing leaks by checking for damp spots around toilets, sinks, tubs, refrigerators and washing machines. Look and listen for the slow, steady drips of water that could be coming from the pipes and fixtures.

You should also check your water heater for leaks and consider having it flushed out by a professional plumber.

Some leaks hide in walls or underground. So if you experience low water pressure or your water bill spikes, hire a plumber that specializes in leak detection. They can use special equipment to find and repair any damaged pipes, hoses or connections.

In addition, if your water is hard or has a lot of minerals in it, scrub the mineral deposits from your sink faucets and shower heads. Check your water softener and replenish the salt levels if needed.

Inspect & Clean HVAC System

With the summer on the way, it is also imperative that your air conditioner is in perfect working order. A heat wave is the worst time to discover a broken air conditioner. Air conditioners are expensive to repair or replace. Proper cleaning and maintenance could save you from paying hundreds or thousands of dollars for a little relief from the heat.

A qualified HVAC specialist should inspect your system in advance of the hot summer months. Or you can clean the evaporators and condensers yourself, depending on the complexity and accessibility of your system. You’ll also need to vacuum the housing for the blower and replace dirty filters.

First, look at your outdoor unit. Is it covered in leaves? Are there sticks poking out from the grate? Before you clean out the HVAC unit, shut your system off to avoid injuries. This will also prevent damage to the system. Unscrew the fan cage to access the inside of the unit. Use a vacuum to remove the leaves and dirt, but try not to manipulate the parts too much.

The next part is a little trickier. Take off the outer shell of the HVAC and clean the fins. Do not use a hose or pressure washer because too much water pressure might bend the fins. Instead, use a fin comb to straighten out the fins and remove loose debris. Follow that with a spray foam cleaner and a nylon bristle brush to remove the remaining buildup. This simple task will increase air flow and improve the performance of the AC unit.

Inside your unit, there are evaporator coils that need to be cleaned as part of your spring home maintenance routine. After removing the protective cover, spray the coils with a no rinse coil cleaner, which will drip into the drain pan. You can then clean the drain pan with a little soap and water.

Check for blockages in the evaporator drain. This is the drain that allows the condensation from the machine to drip down out of the HVAC. Algae and mold can also build up here over time and clog the drain. Use a wet/dry shop vac to clean it out loose debris, then flush out the rest with a mixture of vinegar and water.

It varies from system to system, but you should replace AC filters every 6 to 12 months. There are a wide variety of filters to choose from, including both fiberglass and electrostatic models. Choose a model that’s recommended for your unit and achieves the level of filtration you desire.

In the spring, you’ll also want to double check that your unit remains level. Over time, changes in the weather can cause the ground to shift beneath the unit. Re-leveling the unit will ensure the coolant flows through the unit evenly. This may be a job for a handyman or HVAC technician, as moving an AC unit can damage coils and drainage lines if you’re not careful.

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