As the weather gets warmer, there are a lot of things people begin to think about. Trips to the beach, spending time on vacation and other things may enter the mind but it is also a time to think about the plumbing in the home.
Taking some time to consider these summer plumbing tips could help you enjoy the rest of what summer has to offer. Ignoring these tips may mean that the money that was going to pay for the summer fun may actually end up paying for something else.
Summer Plumbing Tips for Homeowners
Check the sewer line. Backed up drains and water backing up into the home can be a minor nuisance, or can be a major problem. Many homeowners wait until they see the water coming back into their home, because of a blocked sewer line, before they call the plumber. That means that they have to make an emergency call which can lead to higher service costs.To avoid these problems, homeowners can have the sewer lines checked for any potential problems before the summer gets into full swing. Problems with the sewer lines are often created by excess rain and thunderstorms, trees or roots invading the sewer lines, blockages caused by debris, and other similar problems. These are easy to spot with a proper sewer line video inspection.
Check the washing machine. During the summer, the washing machine often does extra duty keeping all of the clothes clean. It is a good idea to inspect the washing machine and all of its connections to make sure that it is prepared for the extra work it will see.Additionally, hoses can break down over time and begin leaking. Washing machine hoses should be checked and found to be flexible (not brittle), watertight with no drips at the faucet connections; and checked that the valve handles open and close properly with no drips.New connections to your washing machine can help prevent leaks and drips.
Don’t clog the garbage disposal. During the summer, people love to cook outside and inside. It is important to make sure that the garbage disposal works properly to handle the work that it will get. Homeowners should know what not to put down a disposal.
Fibrous foods, such as celery, asparagus, potatoes, etc.
Grease or oil
Coffee grounds
Rice and pasta
TrashSince many homeowners cook more during the barbecue season – and many of the foods cooked during the summer can create problems with the disposal – knowing what to put down a disposal and what not to put down the disposal can save you from a lot of problems down the line.
Turning down the water heater. Many homeowners do not realize that they can turn down the temperature of their water heater. During the summer, this is a good idea, especially when away on vacation. Taking this step will save money on the utility bills and will keep the home safer as a result.
Check for leaks. This is something that can be done at several different times during the year. Many small holes can form in pipes during and after the winter season. These can cause many problems, including increased water usage (and higher bills) and damage to the home.The sooner that leaks are detected, the easier they are to fix. Check for leaks in any of the pipes and drains around the sinks of the home, and around the hot water heater. Check the walls and the floors for any damp spots that can be caused by unseen leaks.
Schedule annual maintenance. The best way to make sure that plumbing is working properly is to perform maintenance on a regular basis. Many homeowners schedule their sewer maintenance service based on the change of seasons. That means that the beginning of summer is a great time to perform a complete maintenance program on all of the plumbing systems in the home.
Taking the Next Steps
It may take some time, effort and a small investment of money to complete all of these tips. The investments in these areas will be easily paid back when there are no problems with the plumbing during the summer and rest of the year.
The cost of any repair can quickly go higher than what is spent in time, money and effort when something goes wrong. Do not delay preparing the plumbing of the home for the summer. Schedule an inspection or annual maintenance to avoid a larger problem.
Interested in scheduling an inspection this summer for your home? Contact us to schedule a camera inspection or to get an estimate on your summer plumbing project.
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