Spring cleaning your home is a very common practice this time of year. A little TLC, deep cleaning, and organizing around the house. But have you thought about spring cleaning your plumbing fixtures? These oft-forgotten areas can be home to dust particles, bacteria, or worse.

It may not be as top-of-mind as tidying your bedroom, taking the time to check and wash your household plumbing is important, and may even save you money in the long run.

From clogged drains to grimy toilets, your plumbing systems can really use a deep clean, inside and out.

Here are some tips on what to spring clean:

• Clean your showerhead: A dirty showerhead prevents your shower from operating efficiently and exposes you to bacteria. Remove the showerhead and soak in a tub of white vinegar for a few hours. Use a toothbrush to get between the holes. You can also follow the showerhead’s manual on how to clean the filter.
• Deep clean your toilet: Pour vinegar into your toilet bowl and let it sit overnight. In the morning, use a sturdy toilet brush to scrub around the bowl. A toothbrush and a little baking soda can help get the hard-to-reach nooks and crannies. Scrub the rest of the toilet with a good disinfectant, and make sure to routinely clean (and replace) any bath mats or rugs around the toilet.
• Clogged drains: Have you been ignoring your clogged sink? Spring is the perfect time to tackle the annoying water belching from your drains.
  Stubborn rust stains: High iron in your water can leave brown rust stains around your sinks, tubs, and toilets. Try lemon juice mixed with salt or a chemical cleaner that contains hydrochloric acid with a little elbow grease.
• Fight biofilm: If it’s been a while since you’ve cleaned your sinks and showers, you might have noticed sticky goo on the plumbing fixtures. Biofilm. Use a damp cloth and your favorite cleaning solution to wipe it away. Make sure you research your specific faucet type, so you don’t accidently use a cleaner that damages the finish.

Other quick cleaning tips:

• Check all faucets for drips and leaks.
• Flush out all infrequently used drains. Pour a gallon of water into each drain to prevent odors from entering your home. If any drains are slow, they should be snaked to ensure there are no clogs.
• Check supply hoses on the dishwasher, washing machine, and ice-maker for bulges and leaks. Replace any hoses showing signs of weakness or that are older than 10 years.
• Check the temperature on your water heater. It should be no higher than 120 degrees to prevent scalding.
• Make sure your toilet(s) flush properly. If you need to hold or jiggle the handle, then it’s time to replace parts. Call a master plumber to help!

If your cleaning job reveals some underlying issues or becomes too tricky to handle—like severely clogged drains—it might be time to call a plumbing expert.

Trust Dan’s Plumbing with your plumbing needs!

If you are feeling uncertain about a burst of black water from a faucet, or other water discoloration issues, you can count on the team at Dan’s Plumbing to provide a diagnosis and the fix you need. Give us a call today or request an appointment online today.