5 Tips to Prep Your Homes Plumbing for Maximum Summer Fun
Summer is around the corner, and that means barbecues, graduation parties, Fourth of July entertainment and other outdoor gatherings are potentially part of your seasonal schedule. But before you wrap up that summer calendar, you’ll want to ensure your plumbing system is equipped for higher use.
A plumbing crisis while hosting guests is an annoyance that will undoubtedly 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 important plumbing maintenance tips. Try them soon to better assure your summer schedule will be as relaxing as planned.
1. Check your hose spigot, sprinkler and irrigation systems
After winter and holiday indoor parties, it’s easy to neglect the plumbing around the outside of your home. But it’s really an easy place to start your plumbing maintenance and assessments. Damaged sprinkler heads will need to be replaced, as they’ll soon be counted on more often to keep your grass healthy and your kids cool as they happily splash through them for a weekend refresher. Underground sprinkler and irrigation lines should also be tested for leaks as well as your hose spigot too. While outside hose spigot leaks might be obvious to notice yourself, a professional can warn you of ones that may occur on the interior of the wall, too.
2. Clean and unclog bathroom and kitchen drains, inspect fixtures
Kitchens and bathrooms are the most expected places for a plumbing emergency. You can initiate your evaluation by moving all items beneath sinks to inspect drain pipes and the underside of faucets for leaks. Your cabinets might supply 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 fast the drain works. All clogs and leaks should be dealt with promptly by a professional, and you won’t want to rely 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 ignore your sump pump
Summer provides mild weather but also significant rain in a few sections of the country. Those rains could produce floods in basements if your sump pump is unprepared. A properly functioning unit minimizes the potential for mold and water problems that may appear even from mild soil seepage throughout the year. The pump must be professionally inspected, debris cleared, the power cord looked at, and most important, water put in to the pit to observe how quickly it responds. If it quits or reacts slowly, it might need to be serviced.
4. Resolve toilet leaks
Your water bill may be grateful for this task the most. A few simple inspections by a certified service professional could save you water and help you avoid a costly repair. Toilets frequently leak around the flapper inside the tank, which will break down over time. A pro can also quickly evaluate other parts within the tank and around the whole toilet as well. The parts in the tank, in particular, are pretty affordable; so, if hoses or washers look worn or the fill valve seems slow, all these components can be changed out by a professional quickly and cost-effectively. And remember, neglecting even the smallest toilet repair today will only result in bigger, more expensive problems in the future.
5. It’s a convenient chance to empty the water heater
Even though a water heater failure won’t always seem like it’s as dreadful in the summer as it would be during colder months, it’s a hassle all the same. If you haven’t flushed out 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 other debris at the tank’s base, which could result in rust and the need for a water heater repair or replacement. A certified plumber can perform this simple task for you while also attending to other maintenance items.
“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 schedule a Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing technician to help get your home ready for the highest level of 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
