5 Tips to Prep Your Homes Plumbing for Maximum Summer Fun
Summer is on the horizon, and that means barbecues, graduation parties, Fourth of July excitement and other outdoor gatherings are potentially part of your seasonal schedule. But before you finalize the summer calendar, you’ll want to make sure your plumbing system is equipped for higher use.
A plumbing emergency while hosting guests is an annoyance that will certainly stifle your summer groove. So, the team at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, the nation’s trusted name for plumbing, heating and cooling repairs and maintenance, has offered some helpful plumbing maintenance tips. Handle them promptly to better assure your summer fun will be as fulfilling as expected.
1. Check your hose spigot, sprinkler and irrigation systems
After winter and holiday indoor parties, it’s easy to forget about the plumbing around the outside of your home. But it’s really a good place to start your plumbing maintenance and assessments. Worn 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 spontaneously splash through them for a weekend refresher. Underground sprinkler and irrigation lines should also be evaluated for leaks as well as your hose spigot too. While outdoor hose spigot leaks can be obvious to find yourself, a professional can alert you to ones that can occur on the inside of the wall, too.
2. Clean and unclog bathroom and kitchen drains, inspect fixtures
Kitchens and bathrooms are the most expected areas for a plumbing disaster. You can start your evaluation by clearing away all items underneath sinks to check drain pipes and the bottom of faucets for leaks. Your cabinets can leave 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 watch how fast the drain functions. All clogs and leaks should be resolved promptly by a professional, and you won’t want to fall back on liquid agents as a long-term remedy 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. “A professional can clean out all your drains, fix a bad one and bring peace of mind with a warranty.”
3. Don’t forget your sump pump
Summer brings mild weather but also substantial rain in a few sections of the country. Those rains can lead to floods in basements if your sump pump is not ready. A properly functioning unit decreases the potential for mold and water problems that might occur even from minor soil seepage at all times of year. The pump should be professionally inspected, debris cleaned away, the power cord looked at, and most important, water added to the pit to observe how soon it responds. If it stops or reacts slowly, it might have to be fixed.
4. Address toilet leaks
Your water bill may be grateful for this move the most. A few simple inspections by a qualified service professional could save you water and help you avert a costly repair. Toilets often leak around the flapper in the tank, which is likely to break down over time. A professional can also quickly evaluate other parts inside the tank and around the entire toilet as well. The components inside the tank, in particular, are pretty inexpensive; so, if hoses or washers feel worn or the fill valve seems slow, all these components can be exchanged by a professional quickly and cost-effectively. And don't forget, ignoring even the most minor toilet repair today will only result in bigger, more expensive issues in the future.
5. It’s a great time to flush the water heater
Even though a water heater problem won't always feel like it’s as unpleasant in the summer as it would be in colder months, it’s a hassle regardless. If you haven’t drained your water heater this year, you’ll want to take action 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 lead to corrosion and the need for a water heater repair or replacement. A skilled plumber can perform this simple task for you while also addressing other maintenance tasks.
“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.”
All set to schedule a Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning technician to help get your home ready for maximum summertime fun? You can also stop by our website today to learn about our seasonal maintenance specials and repairs.
Disclaimer: Source: GET Creative, a division of USA TODAY
