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 gatherings are potentially part of your seasonal plans. But before you nail down that summer calendar, you’ll want to make sure your plumbing system is equipped for high use.

A plumbing emergency while having guests is a headache that will certainly 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 provided some beneficial plumbing maintenance tips. Tackle them promptly to better assure your summer satisfaction will be as enjoyable 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 on the outside of your home. But it’s in fact the ideal place to start your plumbing maintenance and review. Broken sprinkler heads will need to be replaced, as they’ll soon be depended on more often to keep your grass watered and your kids cool as they repeatedly sprint through them for an afternoon refresher. Underground sprinkler and irrigation lines should also be reviewed for leaks as well as your hose spigot too. While outdoor hose spigot leaks can be obvious to find 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 expected spaces for a plumbing catastrophe. You can begin your inspection by moving all items beneath sinks to examine drain pipes and the bottom of faucets for leaks. Your cabinets might supply 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 watch how fast the drain works. All clogs and leaks should be addressed straight away by a professional, and you won’t want to depend 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 brings mild weather but also significant rain in several sections of the country. Those rains can lead to floods in basements if your sump pump is not working correctly. A properly functioning pump minimizes the potential for mold and water damage that can occur even from mild soil seepage at all times of year. The pump should be professionally inspected, debris cleared, the power cord reviewed, and most important, water put in to the pit to watch how soon it responds. If it stops or reacts slowly, it might need to be serviced.

4. Resolve toilet leaks

Your water bill may be grateful for this move the most. A few quick inspections by a licensed service professional could save you water and help you avoid a costly repair. Toilets often leak around the flapper in the tank, which can wear out over time. A pro can also promptly review other components inside the tank and surrounding the whole toilet as well. The components in the tank, in particular, are quite budget friendly; so, if hoses or washers seem worn or the fill valve sounds slow, all these components can be exchanged by a professional quickly and cost-effectively. And keep in mind, neglecting even the tiniest toilet repair today will only result in larger, more expensive complications in the future.

5. It’s a great chance to flush the water heater

Even though a water heater breakdown may not feel like it’s as unpleasant in the summer as it would be in colder months, it’s a hassle all the same. 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 collect minerals and sediment at the tank’s base, which may result in corrosion and the need for a water heater repair or replacement. A skilled plumber can accomplish 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.”

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

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