5 Tips to Prep Your Homes Plumbing for Maximum Summer Fun
Summer is around the corner, and that equals barbecues, graduation parties, Fourth of July entertainment and other outdoor events are likely part of your seasonal schedule. But before you wrap up your summer calendar, you’ll want to make sure your plumbing system is prepared for increased use.
A plumbing emergency while having guests is a headache that will surely weaken 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 promptly to better assure your summer satisfaction will be as exciting as expected.
1. Test your hose spigot, sprinkler and irrigation systems
Coming out of winter and holiday indoor parties, it’s easy to neglect the plumbing surrounding the outside of your home. But it’s in fact a great place to start your plumbing maintenance and review. Broken sprinkler heads will have to be replaced, as they’ll soon be depended on more heavily to keep your grass green and your kids cool as they repeatedly dash through them for a weekend refresher. Underground sprinkler and irrigation lines should also be examined for leaks as well as your hose spigot too. While exterior hose spigot leaks can be obvious to discover yourself, a professional can alert you to ones that may occur on the inside of the wall, too.
2. Clean and unclog bathroom and kitchen drains, examine fixtures
Kitchens and bathrooms are the most common rooms for a plumbing emergency. You can begin your inspection by clearing away all items underneath sinks to examine drain pipes and the underside of faucets for leaks. Your cabinets may provide clues as well. Mildew, warped wood and old drip spots are symptoms of leaks from either drain pipes or fixtures. Fill sinks with water and monitor how easily the drain works. All clogs and leaks should be dealt with promptly by a professional, and you won’t want to fall back on liquid agents as a long-term treatment 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 ignore your sump pump
Summer brings mild weather but also significant rain in a few places of the country. Those rains may produce floods in basements if your sump pump is unprepared. A properly functioning pump reduces the potential for mold and water problems that can occur even from minimal soil seepage throughout the year. The pump must be professionally examined, debris cleared, the power cord checked, and most important, water added to the pit to observe how easily it responds. If it stops or reacts slowly, it might need to be serviced.
4. Resolve toilet leaks
Your water bill may be thankful for this project the most. A few simple inspections by a certified service professional could save you water and help you avert a costly repair. Toilets usually leak near the flapper inside the tank, which will wear down over time. A professional can also promptly evaluate other components in the tank and surrounding the entire toilet as well. The parts inside the tank, in particular, are very budget friendly; so, if hoses or washers feel worn or the fill valve seems slow, all these components can be changed out by a professional quickly and cost-effectively. And keep in mind, ignoring even the most minor toilet repair today will only become more substantial, more expensive problems in the future.
5. It’s a good time to drain the water heater
Even though a water heater failure might not seem like it’s as difficult in the summer as it would be during colder months, it’s a headache regardless. If you haven’t emptied your water heater this year, you’ll want to get it done before the summertime fun begins and showers are in high demand by guests. Water heaters collect minerals and other debris at the tank’s base, which may produce corrosion and the need for a water heater repair or replacement. A certified plumber can accomplish this simple task for you while also resolving 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.”
Eager to request a Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing technician to help get your home ready for maximum summertime fun? You can also check out our website today to learn about our seasonal maintenance specials and repairs.
Disclaimer: Source: GET Creative, a division of USA TODAY
