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 excitement and other outdoor gatherings are likely part of your seasonal plans. But before you finalize your summer calendar, you’ll want to make sure your plumbing system is equipped for high use.

A plumbing crisis while hosting guests is a headache that will certainly dampen 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 worthwhile plumbing maintenance tips. Try them now to better assure your summer schedule will be as relaxing as intended.

1. Examine your hose spigot, sprinkler and irrigation systems

After winter and holiday indoor parties, it’s easy to forget about the plumbing on the outside of your home. But it’s actually an easy place to start your plumbing maintenance and review. Broken sprinkler heads will need to be replaced, as they’ll soon be depended on more intensively to keep your grass watered and your kids cool as they repeatedly splash through them for a mid-day refresher. Underground sprinkler and irrigation lines should also be examined for leaks as well as your hose spigot too. While outside hose spigot leaks might be obvious to discover yourself, a professional can lead you to ones that can occur on the interior of the wall, too.

2. Clean and unclog bathroom and kitchen drains, inspect fixtures

Kitchens and bathrooms are the most common places for a plumbing catastrophe. You can start your review by removing all items below sinks to check drain pipes and the bottom of faucets for leaks. Your cabinets can present 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 observe 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 answer 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 produces mild weather but also significant rain in some regions of the country. Those rains may lead to floods in basements if your sump pump is unprepared. A properly functioning system reduces the potential for mold and water problems that could occur even from trivial soil seepage throughout the year. The pump has to be professionally reviewed, debris cleared, the power cord reviewed, and most important, water put in to the pit to watch how quickly it responds. If it quits or responds slowly, it may need to be serviced.

4. Resolve toilet leaks

Your water bill may be thankful for this task the most. A couple of simple inspections by a qualified service professional might save you water and help you prevent a costly repair. Toilets frequently leak near the flapper inside the tank, which can break down over time. A pro can also easily assess other hardware in the tank and around the whole toilet as well. The pieces in the tank, in particular, are pretty affordable; so, if hoses or washers appear worn or the fill valve seems slow, all these components can be replaced by a professional quickly and cost-effectively. And keep in mind, putting off even the tiniest toilet repair today will only become larger, more expensive issues in the future.

5. It’s a convenient time to drain the water heater

Even though a water heater breakdown won’t always feel like it’s as bad in the summer as it can be in colder months, it’s a bother regardless. If you haven’t drained your water heater this year, you’ll want to take action before the summertime fun is in full swing and showers are in high demand by guests. Water heaters amass minerals and other debris at the tank’s base, which may lead to rust and the need for a water heater repair or replacement. A professional plumber can complete this simple task for you while also addressing 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.”

Ready to arrange a Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing technician to help get your home ready for maximum summertime fun? You can also visit our website today for more info about our seasonal maintenance specials and repairs.

Disclaimer: Source: GET Creative, a division of USA TODAY