During the winter months, the cold weather can cause real trouble for your plumbing system. Not only does the drop in temperature put your system under significant pressure but, the extra moisture in the ground can cause shifting of the soil that your pipes are buried in.

During the spring season, many people are inspired to get outside and start working on various projects around the house. The winter weather has passed and it’s time to start mowing the yard and planting the garden.

But, as you are moving down your spring cleaning to-do list, don’t forget to check in on your plumbing system. It is important to check and see if any leaks have developed or if any other types of damage were incurred by the severe storms and temperatures.

Leaks, cracks, and loose fittings are all examples of small plumbing breakdowns that can quickly escalate to major problems if they are not caught and fixed quickly. Some of the signs that your plumbing system will show that there is trouble are:

• If you are standing at your kitchen or bathroom sink and, it begins to gurgle but you haven’t used it yet – this could be a sign of some kind of problem elsewhere in the system
• If you notice repeated puddles of water around the base of the toilet but, no one has used it in a while – you may have a leak or incomplete seal
• If you go to pay your water bill and notice that the amount has gone up significantly this month, you might have a leak in your plumbing system and you should contact a plumber right away

Your plumbing system is very sensitive and it is essential to your day-to-day tasks. It is important to make sure that it is well taken care of.

Even a small trickle of water out of the back of the bathroom faucet, while you’re brushing your teeth, should be investigated. The faucet is just a small piece of the whole system and, if there is a problem at the faucet it is highly likely that there is a bigger problem somewhere else.