Summer is now well and truly underway, and it’s easy to forget all about your plumbing system. In fact, this is a great time to carry out some plumbing maintenance to keep everything working well during the hotter weather. This will also ensure that you’re prepared for any summer storms and the heavy rain they may bring. The long days coupled with the heat can place your plumbing under a different kind of strain. These five simple maintenance tips will help you to keep your plumbing working well throughout the summer months.
- Consider the Extra Stress on Plumbing Fixtures
During summer the kids are out of school, and they may be hanging out in the house more often to escape from the heat outside. When there are more people in the home, it will inevitably mean that there is additional strain placed on your plumbing system. This can be exacerbated further if bad habits are allowed and this could cause your plumbing system to fail. Make sure that your kids are aware of this, ensure that they generally follow these three simple plumbing rules, especially during these summer months
Grease should never be put down the garbage disposal.
When they shower, always run the fan to prevent any mold growth.
Only ever flush toilet paper and human waste.
- Examine Your Sprinklers
A summer will, of course, follow on from colder months and if the winter has been harsh, the sprinkler system could be damaged. This will result in cracks and leaks that will waste water that you’re paying for. Examine your sprinkler heads carefully for any signs of rust, leaks or water misdirection. If there is a problem, get it fixed earlier to save water and reduce your water costs as quickly as possible.
- Avoid Heating Water You’re Not Using
If you’re leaving home to go on a well deserved vacation, don’t forget to turn down your water heater temperature before you leave. This will give you water heater a vacation and help to save money on your energy bills. There is no reason to heat up water while you’re not at home anyway.
- Check Your Water Using Appliances
With the increased level of activity at home, the dishwasher and washing machine will be used more often. Take a little time to make sure that these appliances are hooked up correctly and look for any signs of leaks. If you find any suspicious puddles of water, call out a
local professional plumber and get them fixed. This will ensure that you don’t have a more serious leak later, possibly even when you’re away on vacation.
- Take Care Gardening
Summer is a great time to enjoy the outdoors and do some gardening. It’s vital that you pay close attention to where you’re digging in your yard to plant. Under your yard, there are gas and sewer lines that are vulnerable to breaks from gardening tools. Another more long term issue can be trees that are planted in these areas. Over time the roots can spread out and infiltrate sewer lines causing a break. Take a strategic view when planting trees and larger plants, and locate them well away from sewer lines.
By Giovanni Longo President Flood Brothers Plumbing
Giovanni Longo is a 3rd generation master plumber who has been practicing his craft and trade in the greater Los Angeles area for well over a decade and a half. A plumbing and hydraulics-engineering innovator, Giovanni’s particular world-class expertise focuses on dealing with challenging sewer system designs as well as resolving complex commercial and residential draining issues. As a certified Flood Mitigation expert, he is also well versed in a wide variety of water damage and remediation solution.
