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 gatherings are likely part of your seasonal schedule. But before you nail down a summer calendar, you’ll want to make sure your plumbing system is equipped for increased use.

A plumbing emergency while hosting guests is an annoyance that will surely 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 provided some helpful plumbing maintenance tips. Handle them soon to better assure your summer fun will be as exciting as expected.

1. Examine your hose spigot, sprinkler and irrigation systems

Coming out of winter and holiday indoor parties, it’s easy to neglect the plumbing on the outside of your home. But it’s really a good place to start your plumbing maintenance and assessments. Damaged sprinkler heads will need to be replaced, as they’ll soon be depended on more intensely to keep your grass green and your kids cool as they repeatedly sprint through them for a mid-day refresher. Underground sprinkler and irrigation lines should also be examined for leaks as well as your hose spigot too. While outdoor hose spigot leaks might be obvious to discover yourself, a professional can lead you to ones that can occur on the interior of the wall, too.

2. Clean and unclog bathroom and kitchen drains, examine fixtures

Kitchens and bathrooms are the most likely areas for a plumbing disaster. You can start your inspection by clearing away all items underneath sinks to examine drain pipes and the bottom of faucets for leaks. Your cabinets might leave 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 operates. All clogs and leaks should be resolved straight away by a professional, and you won’t want to depend on liquid agents as a long-term solution 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 sections of the country. Those rains may produce floods in basements if your sump pump is unprepared. A properly functioning unit lowers the potential for mold and water problems that could develop even from minimal soil seepage throughout the year. The pump must be professionally examined, debris removed, the power cord reviewed, and most important, water put in to the pit to see how easily it responds. If it quits or acts slowly, it might have to be fixed.

4. Fix toilet leaks

Your water bill might be thankful for this project the most. A couple of quick inspections by a qualified service professional might save you water and help you avert a costly repair. Toilets usually leak nearby the flapper in the tank, which can break down over time. A pro can also easily review other parts in the tank and surrounding the entire toilet as well. The components within the tank, in particular, are very inexpensive; so, if hoses or washers appear worn or the fill valve sounds slow, all these components can be changed out by a professional quickly and cost-effectively. And don’t forget, postponing even the smallest toilet repair today will only produce bigger, more expensive complications in the future.

5. It’s a great opportunity to drain the water heater

Even though a water heater failure won’t always feel like it’s as difficult in the summer as it can be in colder months, it’s a headache all the same. If you haven’t emptied your water heater this year, you’ll want to take action before the summertime fun starts and showers are in high demand by guests. Water heaters accumulate minerals and grime at the tank’s base, which may lead to rust and the need for a water heater repair or replacement. A qualified plumber can accomplish this simple task for you while also resolving other maintenance services.

“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 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 for details about our seasonal maintenance specials and repairs.

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