New Year, New Plumbing: The Annual Maintenance Checklist

New Year's resolutions usually fail. But committing to annual plumbing maintenance actually saves you money and stress. One Saturday in January, every year. Here's what to check.

Water Heater (30 minutes)

Check the anode rod. This sacrificial rod corrodes instead of your tank. Pull it out—if it's less than 1/2" thick or the core wire is exposed for 6+ inches, replace it. $20-50 for the part, $200-300 if you hire someone.

Flush the tank. Drain 2-3 gallons to remove sediment. Charlotte's soft water means you can do this every 2-3 years instead of annually, but checking doesn't hurt.

Test the temperature/pressure relief valve. Lift the lever, water should release, lever should snap back. If not, replace it immediately—it's a safety device.

Check for leaks around the base and connections. Any moisture = problem.

Verify temperature is set to 120°F. Higher wastes energy, lower allows bacteria growth.

All Drains (20 minutes)

Run hot water down every drain for 30 seconds. Helps clear minor buildup.

Do the baking soda and vinegar treatment: 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup vinegar, wait 30 minutes, flush with hot water. Do this for every drain—kitchen, bathrooms, laundry.

Check drain stoppers and clean them. Hair and gunk accumulate. Pull them out, scrub them, reinstall.

Toilets (15 minutes each)

Food coloring test for leaks: drop food coloring in the tank, wait 10 minutes without flushing, check the bowl. Color in the bowl = leaking flapper valve. Replace it ($5-10, takes 10 minutes).

Check the fill valve. Flush and watch it refill. Should shut off completely and not run continuously. If it doesn't, replace the fill valve ($15-25).

Inspect the wax ring. Look around the base for water or discoloration. A failing wax ring leaks sewage under your toilet and rots your subfloor. If you see moisture, the ring needs replacement.

Tighten the toilet bolts if it rocks. Don't over-tighten or you'll crack the porcelain.

Faucets and Showerheads (20 minutes)

Remove and clean all aerators. Unscrew, rinse debris, soak in vinegar if there's mineral buildup, reinstall.

Remove and clean showerheads. Same process.

Check for drips. Even a slow drip wastes gallons per day. Usually means you need a new washer or cartridge ($5-30).

Look under sinks for leaks at supply line connections.

Washing Machine and Dishwasher (15 minutes)

Inspect washing machine hoses. Look for cracks, bulges, or wear. Replace them every 3-5 years regardless of condition—they fail without warning. Braided stainless steel hoses ($20-30) last longer than rubber.

Clean washing machine filters if your model has them.

Clean dishwasher filter. It's at the bottom of the tub. Pull it out, rinse it, reinstall. Do this monthly, actually, but if you haven't been, do it now.

Run an empty dishwasher cycle with a cup of vinegar to clear buildup.

Garbage Disposal (5 minutes)

Grind ice cubes to clean the impellers.

Grind citrus peels to freshen it up.

Check for leaks underneath.

Listen for unusual noises when it runs. Grinding or rattling means something's wrong.

Sump Pump (If you have one) (10 minutes)

Pour a bucket of water into the pit. The float should rise, pump should activate, water should drain.

Clean debris from the pit.

Make sure the discharge pipe isn't clogged or frozen.

Outdoor (15 minutes)

Check hose bibs for leaks. Turn them on, look for drips from the faucet or around the connection.

Make sure outdoor faucets are still insulated if it's still winter.

Walk your property looking for soggy spots or extra-green patches. Can indicate underground leaks.

Water Meter Check (5 minutes)

Turn off all water in your house. Check the meter. Wait one hour without using water. Check again. If it moved, you have a leak somewhere.

Documentation (5 minutes)

Write down the age of your water heater, garbage disposal, and any other major plumbing components. Knowing when things were installed helps you plan for replacement.

Take a photo of your water meter. Compare it to last year's photo to see usage trends.

Note any issues you found and schedule repairs.

The Big Picture

This entire checklist takes 2-3 hours once a year. The maintenance items cost maybe $100 if you need to replace a few flappers and hoses. Compare that to emergency repairs that start at $500 and go up from there.

Put it on your calendar for the first Saturday in January every year. Future you will thank current you.