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 fun and other outdoor events are potentially part of your seasonal plans. But before you wrap up the summer calendar, you’ll want to ensure your plumbing system is ready for high use.

A plumbing problem while entertaining guests is a headache that will undoubtedly impact 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. Tackle them promptly to better assure your summer fun will be as fulfilling as planned.

1. Examine your hose spigot, sprinkler and irrigation systems

Coming out of winter and holiday indoor parties, it’s easy to neglect the plumbing on the outside of your home. But it’s actually an easy place to start your plumbing maintenance and review. Worn sprinkler heads will need to be replaced, as they’ll soon be counted on more intensively 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 assessed for leaks as well as your hose spigot too. While outdoor hose spigot leaks may be obvious to spot yourself, a professional can lead you to ones that may occur on the inside of the wall, too.

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

Kitchens and bathrooms are your most likely rooms for a plumbing emergency. You can start your review by removing all items beneath sinks to examine drain pipes and the underside of faucets for leaks. Your cabinets can provide 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 observe how quickly the drain functions. All clogs and leaks should be dealt with straight away by a professional, and you won’t want to rely 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 provides mild weather but also heavy rain in a few places of the country. Those rains may lead to floods in basements if your sump pump is not working correctly. A properly functioning system reduces the potential for mold and water problems that might develop even from minor soil seepage throughout the year. The pump should be professionally reviewed, debris cleared, the power cord looked at, and most important, water put in to the pit to observe how easily it responds. If it quits or acts slowly, it might need to be repaired.

4. Fix toilet leaks

Your water bill might be grateful for this project the most. A couple of basic inspections by a licensed service professional can save you water and help you avert a costly repair. Toilets usually leak near the flapper within the tank, which will wear out over time. A specialist can also promptly examine other parts inside the tank and around the entire toilet as well. The parts within the tank, in particular, are pretty budget friendly; so, if hoses or washers feel worn or the fill valve seems slow, all these components can be replaced by a professional quickly and cost-effectively. And don’t forget, putting off even the smallest toilet repair today will only produce more substantial, more expensive problems in the future.

5. It’s a great 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 could be in colder months, it’s a headache nonetheless. If you haven’t drained your water heater this year, you’ll want to handle it 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 lead to corrosion and the need for a water heater repair or replacement. A trained plumber can perform this simple task for you while also taking care of 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.”

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