The Annual Plumbing Checklist For Homeowners

Some things just get scheduled once a year and handled. Your plumbing system belongs on that same list. A yearly walkthrough of your pipes, fixtures, and water heater catches small issues before they compound, and keeps your water bills from quietly climbing. Barron Plumbing & Heating put this checklist together to help you keep your plumbing in Atlantic City, NJ functioning as it should.

Inspect Your Main Shutoff Valve

Your main shutoff valve is one of the most important components in your plumbing system, but it’s also often the most overlooked. If a pipe bursts or a fixture fails, you need this valve to work immediately. Periodically exercising the valve can help reduce the risk of seizing. If it’s stiff, corroded, or leaking around the handle, schedule a repair before you need it in an emergency.

Check Every Faucet and Fixture for Drips

A single dripping faucet can waste more than 3,000 gallons of water per year, according to the EPA. Walk through every sink, tub, and outdoor spigot and look for any signs of dripping or reduced water pressure. Low pressure from a single fixture often points to a clogged aerator. Low pressure throughout the building can indicate something more serious happening in the supply line.

Give Your Water Heater a Once-Over

Water heaters are often out of sight and out of mind until they stop working. During your annual check, look for:

• Rust or corrosion around the tank or connections
• Sediment buildup (you may hear popping or rumbling sounds)
• Water pooling near the base
• A temperature and pressure relief valve that isn’t functioning properly

Many plumbing experts and manufacturers recommend flushing your water heater regularly, often once a year, to help reduce sediment buildup and maintain efficiency.

Inspect Drains and Watch for Slow Flow

Slow drains are one of the earliest signs of a developing clog. Test every drain in the building, including floor drains in laundry rooms and basements. If multiple drains are slow at the same time, that points to a blockage deeper in the system rather than a simple surface clog. Our plumbing services include professional drain cleaning that gets to the root of the problem without damaging your pipes.

Look for Leaks Around Toilets and Under Sinks

Toilets account for nearly 30% of indoor water use, according to the EPA, and a silent toilet leak can waste up to 200 gallons per day. Drop a few drops of food coloring into the tank and wait 15 minutes without flushing. If color shows up in the bowl, the flapper needs replacing. Under sinks, check supply lines and drain connections for moisture, staining, or soft cabinet floors.

Questions We Get Asked All the Time

What’s the first thing I should do if I notice a spike in my water bill?

Check your meter reading when no water is running. If the numbers are still moving, you likely have a leak somewhere in the system. Call a plumber to pinpoint it before the loss adds up.

Do commercial properties need a different checklist than residential ones?

The core inspections are similar, but commercial buildings have higher demand on fixtures, water heaters, and drainage systems. Grease traps, backflow preventers, and larger water heaters all need additional attention on a commercial schedule.

Is it worth replacing old pipes proactively?

If your building still has galvanized steel or polybutylene pipes, yes. Polybutylene piping is known for higher failure risk, especially in older systems. A licensed plumber can assess what you have and recommend a timeline that works for your budget.

Keep Your Plumbing System in Good Shape, Year After Year

Barron Plumbing & Heating has been serving New Jersey residential and commercial clients since 1993, with highly trained plumbers who stand behind their work with warranties and a satisfaction guarantee. If something turns up mid-inspection that can’t wait, emergency plumbing is available when you need it most.

Call us to schedule a plumbing appointment and go into each season knowing your system is in good hands.