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 likely part of your seasonal schedule. But before you wrap up the summer calendar, you’ll want to make sure your plumbing system is prepared for increased use.

A plumbing problem while entertaining guests is a headache that will certainly dampen 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. Handle them soon to better assure your summer schedule will be as enjoyable as planned.

1. Examine your hose spigot, sprinkler and irrigation systems

Emerging from winter and holiday indoor parties, it’s easy to neglect the plumbing on the outside of your home. But it’s genuinely an easy place to start your plumbing maintenance and inspections. Broken sprinkler heads will have to be replaced, as they’ll soon be depended on more heavily to keep your grass green and your kids cool as they repeatedly run 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 outside hose spigot leaks may be obvious to find yourself, a professional can warn you of 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 common spaces for a plumbing disaster. You can begin your inspection by clearing away all items below sinks to inspect drain pipes and the underside of faucets for leaks. Your cabinets can leave 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 monitor how easily the drain functions. All clogs and leaks should be resolved straight away by a professional, and you won’t want to count 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 overlook your sump pump

Summer provides mild weather but also heavy rain in some regions of the country. Those rains can result in floods in basements if your sump pump is not working correctly. A properly functioning pump decreases the potential for mold and water problems that may appear even from trivial soil seepage at all times of year. The pump has to be professionally reviewed, debris cleaned away, the power cord reviewed, and most important, water put in to the pit to watch how easily it responds. If it stops or responds slowly, it might need to be serviced.

4. Address toilet leaks

Your water bill might be grateful for this project the most. A couple of basic inspections by a licensed service professional could save you water and help you prevent a costly repair. Toilets frequently leak nearby the flapper inside the tank, which tends to break down over time. A pro can also promptly assess other hardware in the tank and surrounding the entire toilet as well. The pieces within the tank, in particular, are very budget friendly; so, if hoses or washers feel worn or the fill valve sounds slow, all these components can be exchanged by a professional quickly and cost-effectively. And remember, postponing even the most minor toilet repair today will only lead to bigger, more expensive complications in the future.

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

Even though a water heater problem might not feel like it’s as dreadful in the summer as it could be in colder months, it’s a hassle nonetheless. If you haven’t emptied 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 accumulate minerals and other debris at the tank’s base, which can result in corrosion and the need for a water heater repair or replacement. A trained 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.”

All set to schedule a Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing technician to help get your home ready for the highest level of summertime fun? You can also visit our website today for details about our seasonal maintenance specials and repairs.

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