5 Tips to Prep Your Homes Plumbing for Maximum Summer Fun

Summer is on the horizon, and that means barbecues, graduation parties, Fourth of July excitement and other outdoor gatherings are probably part of your seasonal schedule. But before you wrap up the summer calendar, you’ll want to ensure your plumbing system is prepared for high use.

A plumbing crisis while entertaining guests is an inconvenience that will surely 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 shared some important plumbing maintenance tips. Handle them promptly to better assure your summer satisfaction will be as relaxing 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 surrounding the outside of your home. But it’s genuinely the ideal place to start your plumbing maintenance and inspections. Worn sprinkler heads will have to be replaced, as they’ll soon be relied on more often to keep your grass green and your kids cool as they happily dash through them for an afternoon refresher. Underground sprinkler and irrigation lines should also be assessed for leaks as well as your hose spigot too. While outdoor hose spigot leaks can be obvious to find 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, inspect fixtures

Kitchens and bathrooms are your most likely rooms for a plumbing emergency. You can initiate your evaluation by clearing away all items beneath sinks to examine drain pipes and the underside of faucets for leaks. Your cabinets might provide 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 monitor how fast the drain works. All clogs and leaks should be sorted out promptly by a professional, and you won’t want to fall back 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 ignore your sump pump

Summer produces mild weather but also significant rain in a few places of the country. Those rains might produce floods in basements if your sump pump is not ready. A properly functioning system reduces the potential for mold and water problems that may occur even from mild soil seepage throughout the year. The pump should be professionally reviewed, debris cleaned away, the power cord reviewed, and most important, water put in to the pit to see how quickly it responds. If it quits or responds slowly, it may need to be serviced.

4. Resolve toilet leaks

Your water bill may be thankful for this move the most. A couple of basic inspections by a qualified service professional could save you water and help you avoid a costly repair. Toilets often leak nearby the flapper in the tank, which can break down over time. A pro can also easily check other parts inside the tank and surrounding the whole toilet as well. The components inside the tank, in particular, are particularly affordable; so, if hoses or washers feel worn or the fill valve sounds slow, all these components can be replaced by a professional quickly and cost-effectively. And don’t forget, putting off even the most minor toilet repair today will only produce bigger, more expensive issues in the future.

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

Even though a water heater breakdown might not seem like it’s as bad in the summer as it could be during colder months, it’s a hassle 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 may lead to corrosion and the need for a water heater repair or replacement. A certified plumber can accomplish this simple task for you while also attending to 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.”

Eager to schedule a Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing technician to help get your home ready for optimum 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