With summer, comes an increase in activity around your home. The kids are all home for summer and you may be hosting out-of-town guests, which means more toilet flushes and more water usage. Not only that, but you're certainly using more water to fill up that pool and to water that lawn. Is your plumbing as ready as you are for those things? Here are the top 8 tips to prepare your plumbing for summer.
Summer is the ideal time to inspect your water heater and make sure it's in great working condition. While your water heater won't be working as hard as it did in the colder winter months, that's truthfully exactly why it needs your attention now. Every time you use your water heater, it builds up sediment deposits and debris, which can greatly reduce the efficiency of your unit. You used your water heater a lot over the winter, so have it looked at this summer to avoid any potential breakdowns!
If you're planning on hosting guests this summer, it's important to make sure you're checking your toilet for any blockages and leaks. The last thing you want to deal with is a toilet not working properly - especially if you only have one the guests use. One way to check for leaks is to try the good old fashioned food coloring test. Add some food coloring into the tank and wait 20-30 minutes. If you notice the food coloring in the bowl, then you have a leak that needs to be fixed.
We don't often think about our gutters being part of our plumbing checklist, but it is one of the most important things to check. If your gutters are clogged with all that debris and water from over the winter, water won't be able to properly move away from your home. Instead, you may find the water to make its way into the walls of your home, causing significant foundation damage or structural issues.
Planning some backyard BBQ's with family and friends? All that extra food you'll be preparing can put your drains under a lot of pressure. Remember not to put certain things down there, like oils, grease, bones, and large bits of food. This can lead to blockages and clogs. To start your summer off right, schedule a professional drain cleaning. Avoid chemical drain cleaners at all cost, as these can wreak havoc on your pipes.
Your shower, washer and other utilities around your home will certainly see a increase in activity over the summer. Make sure you have good water pressure! If you're noticing low water pressure when you turn on your shower and sink, for example, contact a plumber to fix it right away.
Before turning on your sprinkler system tis summer, check for leaks and make sure to thoroughly clean the sprinkler heads. To avoid any risks of flooding, or an increase in water bills due to underground leaks, make sure your sprinkler system is in good working condition!
Contrary to popular belief, summer is actually a time when your washer is used more - not winter. Kids are likely to change more frequently when playing outside, you may find that you get sweaty and want to change, or you may be hosting guests that require you to run your washing machine more. Before summer starts, inspect your washing machine and all its moving parts. Check the connections and the appearances of the hose, and replace any parts that are cracked or damaged.
We associate summer with warmth and sunshine, however, we often forget that summer can also mean an increase ins summer storms. If you have a sump pump, take time this summer to test it. Test it by first making sure it has power. Then, turn it on and pour a bucket of water into it. If it's working as it should, your sump pump should turn on and begin to process the water. However, if it doesn't, then you may need to look at getting it repaired or replaced. You'll want to do this before you find yourself in the middle of a summer thunderstorm!
For over 35 years, Peter Levi has been providing fast, professional plumbing services you can count on. The experts at Peter Levi are here to help with all your summer plumbing needs. Contact us today at 800-868-6885 or online here.
NOVATO
24 Digital Dr STE 1
Novato, CA 94949
VACAVILLE
1021 Mason St, STE 11
Vacaville, CA 95688
Mon - Fri. 7am - 7:30pm
Sat. 7:30am - 4pm
Sun. 8am - 4:30pm
