Summer is typically associated with several things, which include sunshine, holidays, and people spending more time with their family members at home. While all these things are happening, unknown to you, your plumbing system is battling through the extra workload silently.
As a result of this, many homeowners might face issues related to clogged drains and leaks from the pipes. However, should these problems be detected early enough, the fixing process can be less bothersome. In this article, we will focus on outlining basic tips to help you properly maintain your plumbing system in summer.
Check for Leaks Around the House
Regularly examining a house for leaks is surprisingly one of the most convenient methods to prevent severe plumbing system breakdowns. Leaks may be invisible in the beginning and difficult to detect, especially under sinks or behind toilets. During the summer, a rise in air temperature can result in pipe expansion. This kind of situation can allow for higher pressure and even a split in the pipes. Go around the house with a tour and check areas under sinks, around appliances, and outside around garden hoses. Whenever you come across dripping water, moisture, or mold, take immediate action and repair this. Detecting and fixing a small leak in the very beginning can save you from a big repair later.
Be Careful with What Goes Down the Drain
During the hot season, family members usually throw family get-togethers, barbecues, and cookouts. Nevertheless, this also means there is an increased amount of food waste that is going down the drain. That is one of the major sources of the kitchen sink being blocked in the summer. Use a drain cover or a filter to stop hair and other debris from flowing into the drain.
Give Your Washing Machine a Break
Throughout summer, many individuals tend to wash their clothing even more frequently as a result of the weather, dirt, sweat, and outdoor activities. The increase in laundry volume brings the washing machine to an overload and also brings more water into the pipes draining the wastewater. To avoid any pipe-system hitches, the overloading of your washing machine should be prevented. Wash smaller loads and keep your machine’s resting time between cycles.
Watch Out for Tree Roots
Tree roots are capable of causing unseen underground damage to your pipes. During the hot days of summer, trees’ growing activity increases, and their roots may extend in search of water. If they find a tiny crack in the pipes, they can enter there and clog or break the pipe. If your garden is full of trees, it’s recommended that a plumber checks your lines by using a camera – a preemptive method.
Maintain Your Outdoor Faucets and Hoses
In the warmer summer season, people spend more time in the garden, which in turn means that outdoor faucets and hoses are more frequently used. Double-check that your hose is in the right position and that it does not leak. If you see a dripping or a small area that always remains damp near a faucet, immediately deal with it as it may signal a damaged washer or valve. Repairing plumbing issues is key to saving water and eliminating more serious water and plumbing issues.
Handle Toilet Issues Promptly
Toilets are in great use during summer since children are at home. If you observe your toilet running water all the time or it flushes only weakly, you must act on it immediately. These are indicators that the valve is either not working properly or the tank itself has a problem. Correcting toilet problems early is beneficial as this way you minimize your water consumption and also reduce any leakages.
Keep an Eye on Water Pressure
Enjoying a high-pressure water shower feels delightful, but this is not the best thing for your pipes. High-speed water can wear away your plumbing system, and finally, it will be the cause of leaks. One of the signs of that is if your faucets or showerheads are delivering water at a very high rate, and such conditions prompt you to check the pressure. In case the pressure is excessive, a plumber can put a pressure regulator to shield your plumbing from damage.
Get a Professional Plumbing Check-up
Occasionally, the problems are not evident at first sight. For this reason, having an annual plumbing check-up is regarded as a good idea by the experts. A plumber with expertise will be capable of checking your piping, the drains, the water heater, etc., and figuring out the minor issues that can be fixed before they get bigger. The summer season is most appropriate for it since people are in the main mostly at home and thus make it easy to get a service appointment.
Final Thoughts
Ensuring that your house’s plumbing system is in good condition for the summer season is an easy task to perform. Doing some basic checks once in a while and also adopting some smart habits can be so instrumental in helping you avoid typical problems such as clogging,