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 entertainment and other outdoor events are potentially part of your seasonal schedule. But before you finalize your summer calendar, you’ll want to ensure your plumbing system is ready for higher use.

A plumbing crisis while having guests is a headache that will undoubtedly weaken 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 offered some worthwhile plumbing maintenance tips. Try them soon to better assure your summer satisfaction will be as exciting as intended.

1. Examine your hose spigot, sprinkler and irrigation systems

Coming out of winter and holiday indoor parties, it’s easy to forget about the plumbing surrounding the outside of your home. But it’s really a great place to start your plumbing maintenance and inspections. Worn sprinkler heads will need to be replaced, as they’ll soon be counted on more intensely to keep your grass healthy and your kids cool as they repeatedly splash through them for an afternoon 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 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 common areas for a plumbing disaster. You can begin your review by moving all items under sinks to examine drain pipes and the underside of faucets for leaks. Your cabinets may 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 functions. All clogs and leaks should be sorted out as soon as possible by a professional, and you won’t want to rely 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 & 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 several sections of the country. Those rains can result in floods in basements if your sump pump is not working correctly. A properly functioning unit lowers the potential for mold and water problems that may occur even from minimal soil seepage at all times of year. The pump should be professionally reviewed, debris cleared, the power cord looked at, and most important, water added to the pit to see how easily it responds. If it quits or reacts slowly, it may need to be fixed.

4. Repair toilet leaks

Your water bill will be thankful for this move the most. A handful of simple inspections by a licensed service professional might save you water and help you avoid a costly repair. Toilets frequently leak nearby the flapper in the tank, which will wear down over time. A specialist can also easily assess other parts inside the tank and surrounding the entire toilet as well. The parts within the tank, in particular, are particularly inexpensive; so, if hoses or washers appear worn or the fill valve sounds slow, all these components can be replaced by a professional quickly and cost-effectively. And remember, ignoring even the smallest toilet repair today will only become more substantial, more expensive issues in the future.

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

Even though a water heater problem might not feel like it’s as difficult in the summer as it can be in colder months, it’s a headache nonetheless. If you haven’t flushed out your water heater this year, you’ll want to handle it before the summertime fun begins and showers are in high demand by guests. Water heaters amass minerals and other debris at the tank’s base, which could produce corrosion and the need for a water heater repair or replacement. A certified plumber can perform this simple task for you while also attending to 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.”

Eager to schedule 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 to learn about our seasonal maintenance specials and repairs.

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