The Annual Plumbing Checklist for New York Homeowners

Water heater

Flush several gallons from the drain valve to clear sediment, test the temperature and pressure relief valve, and confirm the thermostat sits at 120°F. Look for rust streaks at the base — that is a tank telling you it is near the end.

Shut-off valves

Exercise the main and every fixture stop by closing and reopening them. Valves that sit untouched for a decade seize exactly when you need them.

Leak check

Read the water meter, use no water for two hours, and read it again. Any movement means a leak. Also check under every sink and behind the toilet base for staining.

• Toilet dye test: food coloring in the tank, check the bowl after 15 minutes
• Inspect washing machine hoses for bulges — replace every 5 years
• Check the dishwasher and fridge supply lines

Drains and sump pump

Fill and drain each fixture to confirm normal flow, pour water into unused floor drains to refill the trap, and test the sump pump by pouring a bucket of water into the pit.

Outdoors

Before the first freeze, disconnect hoses, drain hose bibs, and verify irrigation is blown out. In spring, check for spigot drips that appeared over winter — that is the classic sign of a freeze crack.