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 excitement and other outdoor events are potentially part of your seasonal plans. But before you finalize that summer calendar, you’ll want to ensure your plumbing system is prepared for high use.

A plumbing problem while having guests is an annoyance that will surely stifle 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 helpful plumbing maintenance tips. Tackle them soon to better assure your summer schedule will be as fulfilling as expected.

1. Inspect your hose spigot, sprinkler and irrigation systems

After winter and holiday indoor parties, it’s easy to overlook the plumbing around the outside of your home. But it’s in fact a great place to start your plumbing maintenance and assessments. Damaged sprinkler heads will need to be replaced, as they’ll soon be relied on more intensively to keep your grass watered 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 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 the most likely places for a plumbing crisis. You can begin your review by clearing away all items under sinks to inspect drain pipes and the underside of faucets for leaks. Your cabinets might present 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 watch how quickly the drain works. All clogs and leaks should be dealt with straight away by a professional, and you won’t want to count 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 forget your sump pump

Summer brings mild weather but also significant rain in a few areas of the country. Those rains can lead to floods in basements if your sump pump is not ready. A properly functioning unit lowers the potential for mold and water problems that might appear even from minor soil seepage at all times of year. The pump must be professionally inspected, debris cleared, the power cord checked, and most important, water added to the pit to observe how soon it responds. If it quits or acts slowly, it may need to be fixed.

4. Resolve toilet leaks

Your water bill may appreciate this task the most. A few simple inspections by a licensed service professional could save you water and help you avoid a costly repair. Toilets usually leak around the flapper within the tank, which can wear down over time. A professional can also promptly review other parts within the tank and surrounding the entire toilet as well. The pieces in the tank, in particular, are quite affordable; 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, postponing even the most minor toilet repair today will only become bigger, more expensive problems in the future.

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

Even though a water heater failure might not seem like it’s as difficult in the summer as it could be in colder months, it’s a hassle all the same. If you haven’t emptied your water heater this year, you’ll want to take action before the summertime fun begins and showers are in high demand by guests. Water heaters accumulate minerals and grime at the tank’s base, which could result in rust 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 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 arrange a Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing technician to help get your home ready for optimum summertime fun? You can also stop by our website today for more info about our seasonal maintenance specials and repairs.

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