Spring has arrived in Salt Lake City, and while most homeowners are thinking about yard work and spring cleaning, your plumbing deserves just as much attention. Utah winters are hard on pipes, fixtures, and outdoor systems — and the freeze-thaw cycle we experience across the Wasatch Front can leave behind damage you won't notice until it becomes a major problem. A spring plumbing checklist is the smartest thing you can do before peak summer water usage hits.
At Towers Plumbing, we serve homeowners across Salt Lake City, Draper, Lehi, and Provo, and every spring we see the same preventable issues crop up. This guide walks you through a thorough 10-point inspection you can do yourself — and tells you exactly when it's time to call in a professional.
Why Spring Is the Best Time to Check Your Plumbing
Salt Lake City sits at 4,300 feet above sea level, and our winters regularly dip below freezing for weeks at a time. That cold takes a toll on outdoor faucets, underground irrigation lines, water heaters working overtime, and the pipe joints that expand and contract with temperature swings.
Spring is ideal for a plumbing checkup for three reasons:
- Freeze damage becomes visible. Cracks and slow leaks that were masked by ice become apparent once temps stabilize.
- Summer demand is coming. Irrigation systems, garden hoses, and higher hot water usage all put more stress on your system. Finding a weakness now beats finding it in July.
- Scheduling is easier. Spring is less of a crunch time than the middle of summer. Plumbers like us can usually get to you faster between March and May.
10-Point Spring Plumbing Checklist
Work through these in order — start outside, then move inside room by room.
Outdoor Faucets and Irrigation
This is where Utah winters do the most visible damage. Turn on each outdoor hose bib and let it run for 30 seconds. Watch for:
- Reduced flow or no flow at all (could indicate a freeze crack inside the wall)
- Dripping from the handle or around the spigot
- Water coming out from inside the wall rather than the spigot itself
For irrigation systems in Draper, Lehi, and Salt Lake City neighborhoods, turn the system on zone by zone. Look for broken heads, lines that aren't pressurizing, or zones that run when they shouldn't. Many irrigation shut-offs are set in fall and forgotten — this is the time to recommission the whole system slowly.
Water Heater Flush
Utah water is notoriously hard. Salt Lake City's water supply carries significant mineral content, and over time that sediment settles in the bottom of your water heater tank, reducing efficiency and shortening the unit's life.
Flushing your water heater annually is one of the highest-ROI maintenance tasks you can do. You'll notice:
- Faster hot water delivery
- Lower energy bills
- Fewer popping or rumbling sounds from the tank
If your unit is over 8 years old and you've never flushed it, consider having a plumber inspect it at the same time. Sediment buildup on older tanks can cause rust and early failure.
Check Under-Sink Connections
Kitchen and bathroom vanities hide a lot of slow leaks. Get a flashlight and inspect every under-sink cabinet in your home. Look for:
- Water stains or discoloration on the cabinet floor
- Mold or musty smell (a sign of long-term moisture)
- Corrosion on the supply lines or drain connections
- Soft or spongy cabinet floors (indicates prolonged water damage)
Braided stainless supply lines should be replaced every 5–7 years regardless of appearance. This is a five-minute fix that prevents a flooded cabinet.
Test Water Pressure
Grab a simple pressure gauge from any hardware store (they thread onto any hose bib) and test your home's incoming water pressure. Normal residential pressure in Salt Lake City should be between 40–80 PSI.
- Under 40 PSI: You may have a partially closed main valve, a clog forming, or a failing pressure regulator.
- Over 80 PSI: This is hard on fixtures, appliances, and joints. A pressure reducing valve (PRV) may need adjustment or replacement.
High water pressure is one of the leading causes of premature fixture failure and wasted water in Utah County and Salt Lake County homes — and most homeowners never check it.
The Remaining Six Points
- Inspect toilet flappers and fill valves. A running toilet can waste 200+ gallons per day. Drop food coloring in the tank; if it appears in the bowl without flushing, the flapper is leaking.
- Test your water softener. Utah's hard water eats softener resin over time. Check salt levels and run a regeneration cycle.
- Run all floor drains. Basement and garage floor drains dry out over winter, letting sewer gases in. Pour a bucket of water down each one to reseal the trap.
- Check washing machine hoses. Rubber hoses crack and bulge. If yours are more than 5 years old, replace them with braided steel.
- Look for pipe insulation gaps. Uninsulated pipes in garages or crawl spaces that survived winter may still be vulnerable to a late freeze.
- Test your sump pump. Pour water into the pit and make sure the float triggers it. Spring thaw and rain season are exactly when you need it working.
When to Call Towers Plumbing
Some of these inspections will reveal issues that go beyond DIY. Call us if you find:
- Any sign of water damage inside walls (staining, soft drywall, musty odor)
- An outdoor faucet that drips inside the wall when running
- Water pressure below 40 PSI or above 80 PSI that a PRV adjustment doesn't fix
- Corrosion on your main shutoff valve or water meter connections
- A water heater that's rusty, leaking, or more than 12 years old
We serve Salt Lake City, Draper, Lehi, Provo, and the surrounding Utah communities. Our team shows up on time, gives you honest recommendations, and fixes it right the first time.
Ready to get your home's plumbing in shape for spring? Book your spring plumbing check with Towers Plumbing — Salt Lake City's trusted local team.
FAQ
Q: How often should I flush my water heater in Salt Lake City?
A: Once a year is the standard recommendation, and it's especially important in Utah because of our hard water. If you've never done it, start now — even an older water heater benefits from removing sediment buildup.
Q: What's considered normal water pressure in SLC?
A: Anything between 40–80 PSI is within the normal range. Most Salt Lake City homes run between 55–70 PSI. If you're outside that range, it's worth having a plumber check your pressure reducing valve.
Q: Can I turn on my irrigation system myself in spring?
A: You can, but turn it on slowly — open the main valve gradually to avoid a pressure surge that can break heads or rupture lines. Run each zone separately and visually inspect while it's running.
Q: What causes the popping sound in my water heater?
A: That rumbling or popping is sediment on the bottom of the tank being disturbed as water heats up. It's not dangerous, but it means your heater is working harder than it should and efficiency has dropped. A flush will usually clear it up.