5 Tips to Prep Your Homes Plumbing for Maximum Summer Fun
Summer is on the horizon, and that equals barbecues, graduation parties, Fourth of July excitement and other outdoor gatherings are probably part of your seasonal plans. But before you wrap up your summer calendar, you’ll want to make sure your plumbing system is ready for increased use.
A plumbing crisis while entertaining guests is an annoyance that will surely impact your summer groove. So, the team at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, the nation’s trusted name for plumbing, heating and cooling repairs and maintenance, has shared some beneficial plumbing maintenance tips. Tackle them soon to better assure your summer fun will be as fulfilling as expected.
1. Check your hose spigot, sprinkler and irrigation systems
After winter and holiday indoor parties, it’s easy to neglect the plumbing on the outside of your home. But it’s really a great place to start your plumbing maintenance and review. Broken sprinkler heads will need to be replaced, as they’ll soon be relied on more intensely to keep your grass watered and your kids cool as they happily splash through them for a weekend refresher. Underground sprinkler and irrigation lines should also be assessed for leaks as well as your hose spigot too. While outdoor hose spigot leaks may be obvious to discover yourself, a professional can lead you to ones that may occur on the inside of the wall, too.
2. Clean and unclog bathroom and kitchen drains, check fixtures
Kitchens and bathrooms are your most common areas for a plumbing catastrophe. You can initiate your evaluation by moving all items beneath sinks to examine drain pipes and the underside of faucets for leaks. Your cabinets can leave clues as well. Mildew, warped wood and old drip spots are indicators of leaks from either drain pipes or fixtures. Fill sinks with water and monitor how easily the drain operates. All clogs and leaks should be addressed promptly by a professional, and you won’t want to fall back on liquid agents as a long-term solution for clogs either.
“We strongly discourage homeowners from tackling drain problems with a liquid agent. They may address the clog, but they may also damage plastic or metal pipes,” said BJ Richardson of Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. “A professional can clean out all your drains, fix a bad one and bring peace of mind with a warranty.”
3. Don’t leave out your sump pump
Summer produces mild weather but also substantial rain in several regions of the country. Those rains might lead to floods in basements if your sump pump is not ready. A properly functioning pump lowers the potential for mold and water problems that could appear even from minimal soil seepage throughout the year. The pump should be professionally examined, debris cleaned away, the power cord checked, and most important, water put in to the pit to watch how easily it responds. If it stops or reacts slowly, it may have to be serviced.
4. Repair toilet leaks
Your water bill will appreciate this project the most. A couple of basic inspections by a certified service professional might save you water and help you avoid a costly repair. Toilets often leak near the flapper inside the tank, which can break down over time. A professional can also quickly check other parts in the tank and surrounding the entire toilet as well. The components within the tank, in particular, are quite inexpensive; so, if hoses or washers seem worn or the fill valve sounds slow, all these components can be swapped out by a professional quickly and cost-effectively. And remember, ignoring even the smallest toilet repair today will only result in more substantial, more expensive complications in the future.
5. It’s a good chance to empty the water heater
Even though a water heater problem might not feel like it’s as bad in the summer as it can be during colder months, it’s a bother nonetheless. If you haven’t emptied your water heater this year, you’ll want to get it done before the summertime fun is in full swing and showers are in high demand by guests. Water heaters collect minerals and grime at the tank’s base, which could lead to corrosion and the need for a water heater repair or replacement. A skilled plumber can complete this simple task for you while also taking care of other maintenance services.
“A lot of these inspections may seem like common sense, but they can easily go overlooked when our lives get busy,” Richardson added. “You can schedule a certified professional to inspect all of your plumbing systems today. That way you can confidently plan your summer fun without the worry of unexpected surprises.”
Ready to schedule a Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing technician to help get your home ready for optimum summertime fun? You can also check out our website today for more info about our seasonal maintenance specials and repairs.
Disclaimer: Source: GET Creative, a division of USA TODAY
