6 Plumbing Tips You Need To Keep In Mind This Summer
Summer is a busy time for most families. Whether your kids are out of school or home for the summer, or you’re hosting parties or out-of-town guests, your house is likely going to be full of people at some point. With the increase of foot traffic in and out of your front doors, your plumbing system is sure to get a lot more use, as well. More toilet flushes, more showers, and more use of the kitchen sink are just a few of the things you might notice this summer. Here are the top 6 tips you and your family should keep in mind this summer to keep your plumbing system running at peak performance.
1. Avoid Toilet Clogs
Toilet clogs can be easily avoidable, unless there’s a blockage somewhere deep in your pipes that you can’t see. Make sure everyone in your home, and all your guests or your kids’ friends, know what to flush and what not to flush. A good rule of thumb is anything that isn’t waste or toilet paper doesn’t belong down the toilet. This includes paper towels, toys, feminine hygiene products, and more. You should also be careful about “flushable” wipes. While they say they’re “flushable”, they don’t deteriorate as well as toilet paper and could lead to toilet clogs.
2. Inspect Your Home For Leaks
Summer is a great time to check your home for any signs of leaks in those leak-prone areas. This includes your sinks, faucets, toilets, showerheads, and water heater. Even if you don’t see visible signs of leaks, be mindful of the signs of potential hidden leaks. You may have a hidden leak if you notice:
- Low water pressure
- Damaged walls or ceilings
- Mold or mildew growth
- An unexplained, musty odor
- A huge increase in your water bill
- Constantly ticking water meter
3. Save Water
During the summer, try to save water where you can – if you can. While using a lot of water is unavoidable if you’re using the sprinkler to water your lawn or filling up the swimming pool for your kids, there are other ways you can try to save water. For example, you’ll likely be doing a lot more laundry during the summer with all the activities and vacations you and your family may be going on. One easy way to save water is to avoid running your washing machine until it’s completely full. Other ways to help save water include: shortening your showers, only running the dishwasher when it’s full, and turning off the faucet when you’re brushing your teeth or washing your hair.
4. Clean Your Drains
All drains around your home, both indoor and outdoor, should be clean going into the summer. This includes your gutters, downspouts, kitchen sink drains, shower drains, and more. You may find the outdoor drains accumulate a lot of leaves and debris over the winter. If not cleaned out, this could lead to clogs and other damage. When it comes to your indoor drains, they can accumulate hair, food, soap scum, sand and dirt that can also lead to clogs if not properly cared for. You don’t want to leave clogs unaddressed, as they can lead to cracks and other damage overtime. Make sure you’re hiring a professional to come out routinely to professional clean and maintain your drains.
5. Check Your Sprinkler System
If you have a sprinkler system on your property, make sure to check for leaks this summer. It’s also a good idea to inspect and clean the sprinkler heads before using them for the first time this season. If you happen to come across any parts that are broken, damaged, or not working properly, you can replace it. The last thing you want to deal with is a sprinkler system that is leaking or not working properly. Not only can this lead to higher-than-usual water bills, but it can also kill your grass – which is the opposite of what you want!
6. Be Prepared For Plumbing Issues
Being prepared is the best thing you can do to get ahead of the problem before it becomes a problem. That’s why it’s important to invest in a plunger for those toilet clogs if you don’t have one already. It’s also a good idea to invest in mesh filters and hair-catchers to avoid clogged drains. Not only are there things you can do to prepare for plumbing problems at home, but calling a professional for annual inspections is another way to get ahead of issues. Having a plumber out to your home to inspect all parts of your plumbing system is a great way to avoid a plumbing disaster this summer.
Contact The Pros at Acree Plumbing, Air & Electric To For All Your Plumbing Needs!
Acree Plumbing, Air & Electric is here to help with all your plumbing needs! Call Acree Plumbing, Air & Electric at (813) 530-9061 or contact us online here today to schedule your plumbing appointment!
