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As Memorial Day approaches and the Kansas City heat intensifies, it’s time to ensure your home’s plumbing is primed for the season’s festivities. From pool parties to backyard barbecues, a well-maintained plumbing system is essential for seamless summer entertaining. Here’s a comprehensive guide to preparing your home’s plumbing for the upcoming celebrations and the rainy season.

The Importance of a Plumbing Inspection

While HVAC maintenance is essential for ensuring comfort, plumbing maintenance plays a critical role in protecting your home from significant damage. If your air conditioner or furnace fails, it may result in discomfort for a few hours. However, plumbing issues like leaks or burst pipes can cause immediate and extensive water damage, leading to costly repairs and potential health hazards from mold growth. Regular plumbing maintenance helps identify and address minor issues before they escalate, safeguarding your home and providing you with peace of mind.

1. Inspect Outdoor Faucets and Hose Bibs for Winter Damage

Kansas City’s harsh winters can take a toll on outdoor faucets and hose bibs. Freezing temperatures can cause pipes to burst. Before connecting hoses or filling pools, conduct a thorough inspection:

Visual Examination: Look for visible cracks or leaks on the faucet body.

Operational Test: Turn the faucet on and off to ensure smooth operation.

Leak Detection: Attach a hose and check for water seepage around connections.

If you notice any issues, it’s crucial to address them promptly to prevent water waste and potential water damage. Seeking professional outdoor faucet repair can ensure your fixtures are in top condition.

2. Ensure Optimal Water Pressure Before Guests Arrive

Adequate water pressure is vital for daily activities and becomes even more critical when hosting guests. Low water pressure can result from:

Pipe Corrosion: Over time, pipes may corrode, restricting water flow.
Debris Buildup: Sediment and mineral deposits can accumulate, leading to blockages.
Hidden Leaks: Undetected leaks can reduce water pressure and increase utility bills.

If you’re experiencing diminished water pressure, consult a Kansas City plumber to diagnose and resolve the issue promptly.

3. Address Leaky Faucets, Running Toilets, and Slow Drains

Leaky Faucet, plumbing maintenance, Top Notch, Kansas City, 2025,-min.jpeg Minor plumbing issues can escalate if left unattended. Before the holiday gatherings:

Inspect Fixtures: Inspect toilets, sinks, and showers to ensure they are in good condition and free from leaks. Even a small drip from a leaky faucet can waste significant water over time. Running toilets can indicate a faulty flapper or fill valve, leading to increased water bills as well.
Pipe and Drainage System Check: Inspect pipes and drains for clogs, leaks, and damage. Slow drains, often caused by clogs, can be a nuisance during events.

Addressing these issues early ensures your plumbing system operates efficiently during your celebrations.

4. Conduct Plumbing Maintenance for the Rainy Season

Spring in Kansas City often brings heavy rains, which can impact your home’s plumbing. Water that gathers near your foundation will cause problems by seeping into your lower level. Make sure to do the following:

Gutter Cleaning: Remove debris to ensure proper drainage and prevent water damage. Run water from a hose over your roof to ensure it is flowing properly through the gutters and down the downspouts.
Sump Pump Testing: Ensure your sump pump is operational to handle excess water and prevent basement flooding. A sump pump test is easy to perform. Simply remove the lid covering the pump. Pour water into the reservoir until the pump kicks on and empties the sump pit. If the pump does not turn on, you’ve got a problem. You may also want to consider a battery backup sump pump as electric pumps will go out during power outages. This often happens during thunderstorms when you need your sump pump the most. A battery backup pump will take over if your pump does not work.

Drainage Inspection: Check that outdoor drains are clear to prevent water pooling near your foundation. The best time to perform this check is after a rain to see where excess water is left behind.

Proactive plumbing maintenance can safeguard your home against water-related issues during the rainy season.

5. Conduct Water Heater Maintenance

As summer approaches, ensuring your water heater is in optimal condition is crucial for uninterrupted hot water during gatherings and daily activities. Regular water heater maintenance enhances efficiency and extends the unit’s lifespan. Key steps include:

Flushing the Tank: Over time, sediment accumulates at the bottom of the water heater, reducing efficiency and potentially causing damage. Draining and flushing the tank annually helps remove this buildup, ensuring optimal performance.
Inspecting the Anode Rod: The anode rod attracts corrosive elements, preventing tank rust. It’s advisable to check this component every few years; if it’s significantly corroded or coated with calcium, replacement is necessary to protect the tank’s integrity.
Testing the Temperature and Pressure Relief Valve: This safety device prevents excessive pressure buildup. Regular testing ensures it’s functioning correctly, safeguarding your home from potential hazards.
Adjusting the Thermostat: Setting the water heater thermostat to 120°F balances energy efficiency with safety, reducing the risk of scalding and lowering energy costs.
Tankless Water Heater: Tankless heaters should be inspected to make sure they are functioning correctly with no signs of corrosion or leaks.

Regular attention to these water heater maintenance tasks ensures a reliable hot water supply, enhancing comfort and efficiency during the summer months.

6. Don’t Forget Water Softener Maintenance

Water softeners need regular maintenance to perform properly. Check your water softening system for salt and add more if necessary. Inspect the water flow and check for salt bridging in the tank, monitor water hardness levels, and adjust regeneration frequency if needed.

7. Water Purification System Maintenance

Water purification systems require regular plumbing maintenance as well. Inspect the system for clogs, leaks, and other issues. Check gauges or meters for signs of problems and replace cartridges or filter media as needed.

Schedule a Pre-Summer Plumbing Check-Up

Preparing your home’s plumbing for Memorial Day and the summer season is essential for hassle-free entertaining and comfort. By addressing potential issues proactively, you can focus on enjoying time with family and friends. Spring rains can bring a host of outside plumbing issues like gutters, sump pumps and standing water near your foundation. Don’t wait until the damage is done. Regular plumbing maintenance can extend the lifespan of your plumbing system and provide peace of mind during the rainy season. An inspection by a licensed Kansas City plumber can identify potential problems before they escalate, ensuring your home is ready for summer activities. When you call Top Notch Heating, Cooling and Plumbing you can expect:

Prompt and reliable service
Honest assessments and recommendations
Highly trained and courteous technicians
Fully stocked trucks for fast plumbing repairs

The Benefits of Regular Plumbing Inspections

Preventative plumbing maintenance is essential for safeguarding your home against unexpected and costly repairs. Plumbing failures can lead to significant water damage, mold growth, and structural problems. Regular plumbing maintenance helps identify potential issues early, such as leaks, corrosion, or blockages, allowing for timely repairs that prevent emergencies and extend the lifespan of your plumbing system. By investing in routine inspections, your home’s plumbing will operate efficiently, your home will conserve water, and you will have peace of mind.

A Customer-First Plumbing Company

Our company story is a little different than most companies in the plumbing industry. Many local company stories start with a family business that has grown over the years. We didn’t start our Kansas City plumbing business because we grew up in the plumbing industry. We started this business because we knew that we knew how to deliver exceptional customer service. What we needed was a local business that would be around for decades that we could pour our customer service expertise into! And that’s just what we’ve done with Top Notch Heating, cooling & Plumbing! You won’t find a better plumbing company with better customer service baked right in. Experience the difference a customer-first company makes—keep your home’s plumbing trouble free with Top Notch Heating, Cooling & Plumbing!