Summer activities and weather can have a negative impact on your home’s plumbing system. Paying attention to the utilities in your home and implementing some simple maintenance tasks can help you avoid a serious plumbing issue so you’re ready for all the summer hustle and bustle.
We’ve put together some summer plumbing tips to help you keep your home in the best condition possible.
Common Summer Plumbing Problems
One unpleasant plumbing issue can derail a full day of fun. Without the proper operation of your toilets, sinks, and drain pipes, it’s impossible to rest easy when having guests over for a holiday, event, or game night. Here are just a few of the common summer plumbing issues:
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Clogs (in the toilet, garbage disposal, or a drain in a sink or shower)
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Constantly running toilet
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Low, inconsistent, or lessening water pressure
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Burst or cracked pipe
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Corroded pipes
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Badly supported pipes (often leading to a hammering sound)
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Loose fixtures (such as a wobbly toilet or sink)
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Leaky faucet or outdoor spigots (usually means you need a new O-ring)
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Wrong drain pipe grade
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Poorly sealed pipes
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Broken water heater
Don’t let this list worry you. John C. Flood is happy to help you take preventative action to protect your plumbing from these malfunctions.
Don’t waste time worrying about potential leaks or low shower pressure. When you address the situation early enough, you can resolve it before it becomes big, inconvenient, and expensive.
4 Summer Plumbing Tips
1. Check for Leaks
Checking for leaks is something you can do year-round, but summer is one of the best times of the year to do this after a cold winter and rainy spring.
Make sure you perform a thorough leak check throughout your home by testing all your different utilities and water-using equipment. Don’t assume that just because an area is dry that the winter did zero damage.
Here are the main areas you should check for leaks:
Toilets
Check around the floor of all the toilets in your home for any signs of water damage. Check if the floor feels spongy. If you notice soft areas of flooring, that could mean you have a leak underneath your toilet. Flush the toilet a few times to see if you spot any leaks.
Showers and Tubs
Examine all of the showers and bathtubs in your home. Check the ground around the edges to ensure the seal is secure and you’re not leaking any water while you use the shower. Look for soft areas of floor or wall, and check the ceiling just below the showers in your home (if possible) to see if you see any signs of water damage from below.
Press on all the tiles in your shower or tub to see if you find loose or soft spots, which could indicate a leak. Turn the shower on to see if you spot any leaking.
Sinks
Sinks are a common area for leaks. It’s normal for a faucet to drip or for there to be a leak in the cabinet below the sink.
Look for any signs of water damage first and then turn on the sink to test if you see any leaking water. Feel for soft areas of the floor and wall.
Washing Machine
Most washing machines are installed with a drip pan to catch any leaks and filter them down the proper drain, but that doesn’t mean that it always works exactly as it should.
Inspect your laundry area for pools of water or soft areas of flooring.
Water Heater
Don’t forget about your home water heater when you check for leaks. Look for signs of pooled-up water, rust, or anything else that would indicate water leaking where it shouldn’t.
Check the exterior hardware for signs of corrosion. Bring a flashlight if necessary so you can fully see your unit.
Pipes
If you have a basement with exposed pipes, check them for signs of wear and tear. Check the pipes under your sinks, behind your toilet, to your washing machine, and to your water heater.
Examine them all for signs of rust, dripping, or corrosion. Have someone help you by flushing toilets, running sinks, or turning on showers so you can be sure all your piping is in good shape.
2. Check Your Water Pressure
The normal activities of summertime — more sports games and outdoor hikes — often lead to more showering. And more laundry. You want to ensure your water pressure is up to the task of handling this new load.
3. Be Mindful of Your Washer
While summer doesn’t bring the big, bulky clothes as winter does, it brings a lot more sweat, dirt, and other outdoor grime. Pay attention to your washer and keep it clean throughout the summer to avoid a breakdown or leak.
Keep an eye out for mold or mildew, cracks, dents, bulges, and any other problem that might indicate that your washer is under too much stress.
4. Clean Your Drains
One of the best summer plumbing tips is to keep your drains clean. Clogs in your drain can lead to slow draining, leaks, burst pipes, and weak flushes.
Be careful when using drain cleaners since some of these can damage your piping and are bad for the environment.
If you want to avoid clogged drains, then always be mindful of what you put near the drains in your home. Keep your showers and sinks clean.
Try using some drain protectors to reduce the amount of debris that falls down the drain. Clean the P-trap in your sink regularly.
Reach Out for Professional Plumbing Help
Keep your summertime lighthearted and fun by getting all your summer plumbing tips and maintenance out of the way. John C. Flood can help ensure your home is leak-free and fully operational.
Call us today at 703-214-5611 for same day service!
