Most people look forward to summer, the temperature is warm, and the rain is softer and less frequent. It’s a time for getting outdoors in the sunshine and relaxing as the seasons change. But, summer can affect other parts of your home, including your
plumbing system. The higher levels of activity during summer, hot long days, and vacations can all place your plumbing system under different stresses. In this article, we will look at five easy tips for home plumbing maintenance during the summer months.
- Check the Sprinkler System
A harsh winter can be hard on a sprinkler system leading to cracks and leaks. When you turn your sprinkler system on, you may notice some water leaks that are wasteful. Early in the summer check each sprinkler head for misdirection, corrosion and water leaks. Any damaged sprinkler heads should be repaired or replaced as early as possible to minimize water waste and keep your water bills down for summer.
- Kids Add Strain to Plumbing Fixtures
During the rest of the year, your kids are at school, and when the summer vacation arrives, they will be around the home more. Whenever there are more people using the home, additional strain is introduced to your home plumbing system. If you throw a few bad habits into the mix, you have an increased opportunity for plumbing issues. When they are at home more, the kids need to follow three simple rules to keep your plumbing in good shape.
- Only toilet paper and human waste are flushed down the toilet.
- The fan has to be run when taking a shower to prevent mold growth.
- You cannot put grease and oil down the garbage disposal.
If your kids follow just these three simple rules, your plumbing is less likely to let you down during the summer.
- Check Connections on Water Using Appliances
Over the summer our water using appliances, such as the dishwasher, refrigerator ice dispenser, and washing machine, will all need to work hard. With more home cooked meals, ice needed for cool drinks and sweaty clothes that need washing more often you need to make sure that those appliances are hooked up correctly. If you can identify and fix any leaks earlier, it’s a good way to prevent larger problems later in the season.
- The Water Heater
If you’re going on vacation, there’s little point in heating water that you’re not going to use. Before you leave, turn the water heater temperature right down. This will give your water heater a much needed vacation, and you will save money on your energy bills at the same time.
- Careful Gardening
When the weather is warm, it’s the perfect opportunity to get outside and do some gardening. If your planning on digging in your yard, be careful where you dig. Most yards have a gas and sewer line running under the lawn, and you need to know where these are before you start planting. If you want to plant a tree, be careful where you place it, tree roots often seek water from tiny leaks in sewer lines, and they can grow into it the line and break it.
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.
