Spring Plumbing Inspection: 7 Things Denver Homeowners Should Check Now

Colorado winters can be incredibly hard on our plumbing. Freezing temperatures, freeze-thaw cycles, and frozen ground can harm your pipes, sewer lines, and outdoor fixtures. Ice expands as it freezes, which stresses joints and pipes. When the snow thaws, it can overwhelm your drainage systems. 

With spring already underway, it’s time to make sure your plumbing system is in optimal condition. At Elkhorn Heating, Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical, we offer spring plumbing inspections in the Denver and Littleton areas.

Learn more about the best plumbing checklist for Denver homes, especially properties in the foothills and older buildings.

The 7-Item Spring Plumbing Checklist 

As part of your springtime checklist, there are seven key tasks that you can do to make sure your plumbing system isn’t damaged from last winter. 

1. Test Your Sump Pump

Your sump pump system is responsible for keeping floodwaters out of your home. Because of our storms and heavy rain, it’s a good idea to perform a sump pump spring test in Colorado.

To test your sump pump, pour a 5-gallon bucket of water into the pit. If everything is working properly, you should see the float rise. Once the pump activates, the water level in your pit should start to drop. Outside your home, you should see water leaving the discharge line. The water should be released at least 10 feet away from your foundation. 

If the pump doesn’t activate or the discharge line is clogged, give us a call for sump pump repairs. We also recommend getting a replacement once your sump pump is more than 7 to 10 years old. The best time for any sump pump repairs and replacements is in the spring before heavy rains arrive.

2. Inspect Your Outdoor Faucets and Hose Bibs for Freeze Damage

If you forgot to do your outdoor faucet and hose bib winterization check in Denver, these devices can quickly become damaged. Even with proper winterization, damage can happen. 

To check for damage, turn on each of your outdoor faucets. Then, check for leaks, a lack of flow, or a reduced flow rate. When freeze damage occurs, it can crack the valve body, which is invisible inside the wall. You may notice a steady drip from the pipe connection or handle if damage has occurred.

Make sure to check outdoor plumbing in the front and back of your home. Additionally, don’t forget about irrigation connections and faucets in your garage.

3. Check Your Water Heater for Wintertime Sediment Buildup

Over the winter, sediment can build up in your water heater. As part of your water heater maintenance, it’s essential to flush your tank. By doing so, you can boost your energy efficiency and extend the unit’s lifespan.

When you flush the tank, note any unusual sounds and other warning signs. If there is sediment buildup, you’ll often notice rumbling or popping noises. Meanwhile, moisture around the base and signs of corrosion mean you should schedule a professional inspection right away.

For the best balance of comfort and efficiency, set your water heater to 120°F. This temperature is hot enough to prevent bacterial growth and cool enough to prevent scalding.

4. Run and Test All Floor Drains

In Colorado, many homes are designed with floor drains in the basement. These drains often go unused for months at a time, but they are vital if any flooding occurs. 

A basic test can make sure your drains are ready for spring. Start by pouring water down one of the drains to confirm flow. If the water backs up or drains slowly, there is likely a blockage. You’ll need to schedule a professional drain cleaning to fix it.

This basic test is also important because it fills the P-trap. This trap is the curved section of pipe that you see underneath your plumbing fixtures. Because it holds water, it blocks sewer gas from entering your home. When fixtures aren’t used frequently, the P-trap can dry out and allow foul odors to come inside.

5. Inspect Visible Pipes for Signs of Winter Stress

As a spring home maintenance for plumbing in Denver, we also recommend looking for signs of winter stress and hidden leaks. In your basement and utility areas, look for any discoloration, small drips, or moisture around joints. On copper pipes, moisture may cause a patina to develop. 

Exterior walls are near the frigid outdoor air, so they naturally stay colder. Because of this, you should be especially observant of pipes that are near exterior walls.

6. Clean Gutters and Check Downspout Drainage Direction

Your gutters provide a clear path for snow melt and spring rain to leave your home. If you have disconnected downspouts or clogged gutters, the water can end up near your foundation. Besides causing mold growth and moisture in your basement, this also increases your sump pump load. When functioning properly, your downspout extensions should send the water at least 5 to 6 feet away from your foundation.

7. Walk the Exterior of Your Home

As the last step in your outdoor plumbing spring startup in Colorado, walk around the perimeter of your home. You should note any areas where the soil has settled against the foundation. This can cause low spots and pooling water. To fix this problem, you should grade the slope away from your home.

Before you wrap up your checklist, look at your window wells. Remove any debris, and make sure the covers are securely in place.

When To Call a Plumber vs. Handle It Yourself 

While you can handle plumbing winterization and spring maintenance on your own, some tasks should be left to the expert.

Things You Can Handle on Your Own

In most cases, you should be able to handle the following tasks on your own. If you need help with flushing the water heater or other maintenance tips, our comfort specialists are only a phone call away.

• Testing the sump pump
• Visually checking your pipes 
• Flushing the water heater
• Pouring water down drains
• Cleaning gutters
• Checking hose bibs

Instances Where You Should Call a Plumber for Help

We recommend immediately calling a plumber in the following situations.

• Outdoor faucet leaks that are inside the wall
• A sump pump that keeps running or won’t start
• Unusual water heater sounds
• Water heater corrosion
• Backed-up floor drains
• Active pipe leaks

If you have a new home that was built after 2005, your system may still be under the manufacturer’s warranty. By arranging for a professional inspection, you can document issues for making a warranty claim.

It’s also important to note that there is a sewage backup risk during heavy snowmelt. Excess water saturates the municipal systems, which can lead to sewage flowing into your basement drain. Because of this, we recommend installing a backflow preventer valve if you don’t already have one set up.

Looking for help with your plumbing maintenance? Elkhorn’s licensed plumbers can handle all of these plumbing tasks in a single visit. We’re able to serve customers throughout the Littleton, Aurora, Parker, Castle Rock, Englewood, and broader Denver metro area.

Foothills and Older Home Considerations 

Our region has unique climates and neighborhoods that require special care. Properties in Morrison, Indian Hills, and Evergreen have steep terrain and faster snowmelt runoff, so they face added plumbing risk in the spring.

Old homes in Harvey Park, Capitol Hill, University, South Littleton, and other established Denver neighborhoods often contain cast iron or galvanized pipes. These pipes are more vulnerable to wintertime stress, so pay attention to any rust-colored water when you turn on your faucets in the spring.

In Aurora, Brighton, and Commerce City, first-time homeowners have new buildings that have probably not been inspected since they were built. Because of this, it’s a good idea to schedule a spring walk-through.

No matter what neighborhood you live in, it’s important to inspect the vapor barriers and insulation in your crawl spaces. Moisture intrusion can happen during snowmelt, so this step is key for protecting your home from mold growth and moisture damage.

FAQs 

How often should I do a spring plumbing inspection? 

We recommend performing an inspection each year in the spring. The best time is after the last freeze has passed so that we can determine if there has been any winter-related damage. Because of the climate difference, foothills properties will generally need to wait until late April or May.

How long does this take? 

As long as there aren’t any problems, you can expect the full spring plumbing checklist in Denver to take around an hour. Our professional inspection covers all of the important tests and checks that you can’t complete on your own.

Can I combine this with an HVAC or electrical tune-up? 

Absolutely. Our comfort specialists handle plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems, so you can easily combine all of these tasks into a single springtime appointment. For our clients, this makes planning home services much easier.

What are the most common spring plumbing problems in Denver? 

In Denver, the most common problems we see are dry P-traps in floor drains, untested sump pumps, cracked hose bibs, and sediment-heavy water heaters. From testing your sump pump each spring to winterizing hose bibs, these problems can be prevented. When they do occur, they can be easily fixed as long as they are caught early.

Schedule Your Next Plumbing Inspection

Ready for your seasonal inspection? If you’ve already completed your spring plumbing checklist in Denver, don’t forget to schedule a professional inspection. Our comfort specialists can ensure your water heaters, sump pumps, drains, and outdoor plumbing are working properly. 

Call us now to schedule your appointment.