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 probably part of your seasonal plans. But before you nail down your summer calendar, you’ll want to make sure your plumbing system is ready for higher use.

A plumbing crisis while hosting guests is a headache that will undoubtedly stifle 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 provided some worthwhile plumbing maintenance tips. Handle them now to better assure your summer schedule will be as fulfilling as expected.

1. Test your hose spigot, sprinkler and irrigation systems

Emerging from winter and holiday indoor parties, it’s easy to overlook the plumbing around the outside of your home. But it’s in fact an easy place to start your plumbing maintenance and assessments. Worn sprinkler heads will have to be replaced, as they’ll soon be relied on more intensively to keep your grass healthy and your kids cool as they repeatedly splash through them for a weekend refresher. Underground sprinkler and irrigation lines should also be assessed for leaks as well as your hose spigot too. While outdoor hose spigot leaks might be obvious to spot yourself, a professional can alert 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 your most likely places for a plumbing crisis. You can initiate your inspection by moving all items beneath sinks to inspect drain pipes and the underside of faucets for leaks. Your cabinets can present clues as well. Mildew, warped wood and old drip spots are signs 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 sorted out as soon as possible by a professional, and you won’t want to count 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 leave out your sump pump

Summer provides mild weather but also substantial rain in a few places of the country. Those rains might produce floods in basements if your sump pump is not working correctly. A properly functioning unit decreases the potential for mold and water damage that could occur even from mild soil seepage throughout the year. The pump has to be professionally inspected, debris cleaned away, the power cord looked at, and most important, water put in to the pit to observe how easily it responds. If it stops or responds slowly, it might need to be repaired.

4. Address toilet leaks

Your water bill might be thankful for this task the most. A handful of basic inspections by a certified service professional might save you water and help you avert a costly repair. Toilets often leak nearby the flapper in the tank, which will wear out over time. A specialist can also promptly evaluate other hardware within the tank and surrounding the entire toilet as well. The components inside the tank, in particular, are quite inexpensive; so, if hoses or washers appear worn or the fill valve sounds slow, all these components can be swapped out by a professional quickly and cost-effectively. And don’t forget, postponing 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 empty the water heater

Even though a water heater breakdown won’t always seem like it’s as unpleasant in the summer as it would be in colder months, it’s a bother nonetheless. If you haven’t emptied 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 amass minerals and grime at the tank’s base, which can result in corrosion and the need for a water heater repair or replacement. A qualified 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.”

Ready to arrange 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 to learn about our seasonal maintenance specials and repairs.

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