Avoid Plumbing Problems in Summer
We look forward to the warm weather and family get-togethers that define the season yet often forget about the potential plumbing problems in summer. Nothing ruins a good time like a stubbornly clogged toilet or backed-up shower drain.
With summer right around the corner, it’s the perfect time to inspect the condition of your home’s pipes and plumbing fixtures. That way, you can plan ahead and prevent frustrating interruptions to your otherwise relaxing and pleasant summer.
But what exactly should you be looking for?
In this blog, Flow Pros shares the top five plumbing problems in summer. So, continue reading to know just how to save your summer from these common issues.
1 | Damaged Sprinklers
Your in-ground sprinkler system is more likely to have problems in the summer. With all the backyard soccer matches and other fun and active summer activities, it’s prime time for a sprinkler head to become damaged. Not to mention, you are probably mowing your lawn a lot more often, leading to an even higher chance of busting a sprinkler.
Unfortunately, a cracked sprinkler head often goes unnoticed until you see the evidence in your utility bills. Because sprinklers are supposed to spray water, a small leak can go on for weeks before you realize it.
What You Can Do:
Broken sprinkler systems will waste water and your hard-earned money. So, inspect your sprinkler systems throughout the summer months to avoid a potential plumbing problem. Keep an eye out for puddles of water in your yard. For instance, if there is a pool of water in one section of the yard, but the rest is dry, you may have a malfunctioning sprinkler head.
Nevertheless, you certainly don’t want a faulty sprinkler system in the middle of July. Here are some additional tips on how to care for your sprinkler system in the summer:
- Adjust the watering schedule for the summer. You’ll want your lawn to get a little more water during the hot summer months.
- Regularly check for damage or clogs in the sprinkler system. Depending on how active you and your household are outdoors, inspect the system at least once a month.
- Check for run-off. If your sprinklers are causing water to run into the street or driveway, adjust your sprinkler system. The excess water is not only costing you more, but it can carry pollutants into the drains and out into the natural world.
2 | Clogged Disposal
The perfect time for backyard barbeques and family feasts is summertime. And much of it gets sent down the garbage disposal. During summer, it is more likely that you may experience issues with your garbage disposal. Remember to be careful with what you send down the disposal. The last thing you want is a broken garbage disposal, especially if you’re hosting many guests throughout the season.
What You Can Do:
Garbage disposals are a pain when they aren’t working correctly. To properly care for your disposal this summer, consider adopting the following habits:
- Avoid putting objects in the disposal that will lead to future issues. For example, never put grease, oil, large animal bones, and any non-food items down the sink.
- Use cold water when you run the garbage disposal. It helps to eliminate grease that may have collected in your sink drain.
- Break up larger items before using the disposal. Larger objects can easily get stuck and potentially damage your disposal.
3 | Leaking Outdoor Faucets
Our outdoor faucets are finally getting some use in the summer. Hot weather calls for slip ‘n slides, water hose fights, and family car washes. Unfortunately, because the faucet outside hardly gets any use at other times of the year, it can easily go ignored.
Remember to check the faucet before and after use for any damage or leaks.
What You Can Do:
Consider using a faucet cover to avoid rust and wear and tear from the outdoor elements. Covers can be cloth, foam, or rigid plastic. And they are relatively inexpensive, costing you only $2 to $10.
The following are additional tips on how to care for your outside faucets:
- Check the water pressure. Outdoor faucets can easily burst due to the pressure within, especially if they are worn and have become fragile.
- Take care of the faucets and pipes all throughout your home. They all work together to provide you with water. So, when caring for the outdoor faucet, you’ll want to correctly use the drains and pipes within your home, too.
4 | Slow Draining Showers
Summer fun in the great outdoors takes a toll on the shower drains. After a hot day at the beach or lake, you’re covered in sand, sweat, and dirt. And your shower must take it all in.
When sand, dirt, and even little rocks and pebbles fall into the shower drain, it can become clogged.
What You Can Do:
With the family spending more time outdoors this summer, you will want to pay some extra attention to the shower drains and how quickly they are clearing.
Here are a few ways to further maintain the shower drain:
- Reduce the amount of debris going down the drain. Use mesh screens over your shower drain to prevent large pieces and hair strands from backing up the shower drain this summer.
- Clear the drains more often. You can do this by purchasing a chemical drain cleaner. Be sure to read the label and follow the directions provided. Often, these chemicals are misused or overused and can actually cause damage to your plumbing system. Fortunately, there are many natural solutions you can create at home to clean the drains, like baking soda and vinegar.
- Shower or rinse off before returning home. Many public beaches and lakes have an outdoor shower for visitors to rinse off after a day in the sun. If the lake or beach you’ve visited has an area to rinse yourself off, take advantage and clear the sand and dirt before heading home.
5 | Toilet Plumbing Problems in Summer
With everyone home for the summer and the many guests you’ll be hosting, toilet clogs are likely to occur. If you have young kids running around the house, they might flush something down the toilet that shouldn’t be flushed. In fact, flushing anything that is not dissolvable is risky and potentially leads to backups.
Furthermore, toilets are more susceptible to leaks during summer. With more use comes more possible issues. And a toilet leak can be challenging to detect. Typically, the leak comes from the tank and spills into the toilet bowl. If you aren’t aware of the leak, you could waste several gallons of water, costing you big on your utility bills.
What You Can Do:
Start by reminding your family and guests of what should and should not be flushed down your home’s toilets. Consider even hanging a sign with photos as a reference for small children who may forget a little easier.
Below, we’ve provided some more advice on how to care for your toilet and avoid plumbing problems this summer:
- For a leaking toilet, add some drops of food coloring to the water in the tank. That way, you can clearly see if the tank is leaking into the toilet bowl. If the tank is, in fact, leaking, you will be able to see the colored water spilling into the bowl.
- Never flush anything but toilet paper down the toilet. And be sure you are not flushing down large amounts of toilet paper. Some of the main items you want to prevent from going down the toilet are paper towels, feminine products, and wipes.
- Take minor clogs seriously. People often notice their toilet is slightly backed up and leave it be, expecting the toilet to fix itself magically. But this only leads to more significant plumbing problems later on. Plus, it can harm the pipes throughout the home.
How Flow Pros Plumbing Can Help with Plumbing Problems in Summer
Summer is a time of outdoor fun. Unfortunately, you can overwork your home’s plumbing system with all the lawn parties, outdoor sports, and cooking of massive meals to feed your guests. That is, if you don’t implement the proper care and maintenance to avoid plumbing problems in summer.
We know you don’t want your good times to be squashed by a faulty plumbing system.
And that’s why we are here to help.
Before summer rolls around, reach out to Flow Pros to get your home’s plumbing in tip-top shape. And if you happen to be faced with any plumbing problem while enjoying the sunny season, you can trust that Flow Pros will take care of the job promptly so that you can resume all the exciting activities as soon as possible.
Call Flow Pros Plumbing for all your summer plumbing needs today.