A yearly plumbing checklist is a short list of jobs that catch small problems before they turn into leaks and floods: a meter leak test, a water pressure check, a water heater flush and relief valve check, a toilet dye test, scale cleanup on faucets and showerheads, a look under every sink, and softener and irrigation checks.
What goes on the checklist?
Here is the full list, grouped by how often each job comes around.
| How often | Job | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | Compare your water bill to the same month last year | A jump can mean a hidden leak |
| Regularly | Look under sinks, around toilets and at the water heater | Catches slow leaks early |
| Regularly | Check softener salt and break up salt bridges | Keeps the softener working |
| Once a year | Meter leak test | Finds leaks you can't see |
| Once a year | Water pressure test at a hose bibb | High pressure strains everything |
| Once a year | Flush the water heater and check the relief valve | Clears sediment and tests a safety valve |
| Once a year | Dye-test every toilet | Finds silent tank leaks |
| Once a year | Clean scale off faucet aerators and showerheads | Restores flow |
| Once a year | Clean the softener's brine tank | Keeps the brine clean |
| Every spring | Inspect the irrigation system | Finds broken heads and drip leaks |
| Every 5 years | Replace toilet flappers | Flappers wear out |
The sections below walk through each one.
What does the water heater need each year?
Three things, according to the EPA's home maintenance page:
- 1A visual check, on a regular basis. Look for leaks, aged gaskets, loose connections or screws, and corrosion.
- 2A flush, once a year. Flushing reduces sediment buildup, which can decrease efficiency. The EPA's steps start with turning off the heater's power supply, then draining it with a garden hose to a spot that can handle very hot water. The heater's manual has the exact steps for your model.
- 3A relief valve check, at least once a year. The temperature and pressure (T&P) relief valve is a safety device, and the EPA says to check it "to make sure it functions correctly."
The EPA also says it "may be best to hire a professional to service your home's water heater at least once a year," so every part gets checked. Our guide to how often to flush a water heater in Phoenix covers timing, and our page on a leaking pressure relief valve covers what it means when that valve drips.
What else is on the list?
The rest of the checklist is quick.
For the everyday problems every home runs into, and how to prevent each one, see the most common plumbing problems and how to prevent them.
### Toilets
Once a year, put a few drops of food coloring or a dye tablet in each toilet tank and wait 10 minutes. The EPA says that if color shows up in the bowl, you have a leak "that can probably be fixed by replacing the rubber flapper." Flush afterward so the dye doesn't stain the tank. Because flappers wear out, the EPA says to replace them "at least once every five years." Our guides to replacing a flapper or fill valve and fixing a running toilet cover the repair.
### Faucets and showerheads
Listen for drips, and look under each sink for leaks at the pipe connections, puddles or water spots. A small drip adds up: the EPA says a faucet that drips once per second "can waste more than 3,000 gallons per year." Then check faucet aerators and showerheads for scale. The EPA suggests white vinegar or another cleaning product to remove buildup that may be restricting flow. Our pages on a leak under the sink and low flow from one faucet help with both.
### Water softener
Check the salt level regularly and add salt as needed. If salt forms a hard crust, or bridge, the EPA says to break it up with a broom handle or similar tool. Once a year, clean the brine tank. The EPA recommends a professional service for the softener once a year, too. Our guide to a water softener that stops working covers the common faults.
### Clothes washer
The EPA says to leave the door open after use so moisture can evaporate and mold doesn't form. It also says to follow the maker's other maintenance advice, especially on front-load machines. While you're behind the machine, look at the supply hoses for bulges or cracks. Our page on how often to replace washing machine hoses covers when to swap them.
### Drains and the sewer line
Drains don't need a yearly cleaning so much as good habits. The City of Phoenix says grease is "the most frequent cause of sewer problems," even when followed by hot water, because it cools, hardens and forms a plug. Let grease cool and put it in the trash. If you have a garbage disposal, InSinkErator's key tip is to never put fats, oils or grease into it.
Roots are the other big cause, according to the city. And in Phoenix, owners are responsible for "cleaning and maintaining the sewer line that runs from the house to the connection with the city sewer main." Our guides to what not to put down the drain, how often to get drains cleaned and maintaining your sewer line go deeper.
### Irrigation
Each spring, the EPA suggests inspecting the system for damaged equipment and lines, making sure sprinklers aren't spraying pavement, and checking that drip lines work without clogs or leaks. It also recommends an irrigation audit about every three years. Our page on finding a water leak in the yard helps when the meter test points outside.
Which jobs should a plumber handle?
Most of the list is homeowner work: reading the meter, dye tests, vinegar soaks, salt. A few jobs are better left to a pro, especially when a check turns something up:
- Pressure above 80 psi, or a PRV that needs adjusting or replacing.
- A water heater that leaks, has a relief valve that drips, or won't drain when you try to flush it.
- A meter that keeps moving after you've checked every toilet and faucet.
- Drains that keep clogging or several drains backing up at once, which can point to the sewer line.
For a room-by-room walk-through, see our guide to doing your own plumbing checkup, and for when a pro visit is worth it, see whether you need an annual plumbing inspection. If you're heading out of town for the summer, our snowbird plumbing checklist covers shutting the house down.
HQ Plumbing & Air handles the parts of the list you'd rather not, from pressure regulators and water heater service to leaks and sewer lines across the Phoenix area. We're available 24/7, licensed and insured, and you get a free estimate with upfront pricing on any plumbing repair.
An afternoon a year keeps most plumbing surprises off the calendar.