5 Tips to Prep Your Homes Plumbing for Maximum Summer Fun

Summer is on the horizon, and that equals barbecues, graduation parties, Fourth of July entertainment and other outdoor gatherings are probably part of your seasonal schedule. But before you finalize that summer calendar, you’ll want to make sure your plumbing system is equipped for higher use.

A plumbing problem while hosting guests is a headache that will surely impact 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 worthwhile plumbing maintenance tips. Handle them now to better assure your summer schedule will be as exciting as planned.

1. Check your hose spigot, sprinkler and irrigation systems

Emerging from winter and holiday indoor parties, it’s easy to neglect the plumbing around the outside of your home. But it’s genuinely a great place to start your plumbing maintenance and inspections. Damaged sprinkler heads will have to be replaced, as they’ll soon be depended on more intensively to keep your grass watered and your kids cool as they repeatedly run through them for an afternoon refresher. Underground sprinkler and irrigation lines should also be examined for leaks as well as your hose spigot too. While exterior hose spigot leaks might be obvious to notice yourself, a professional can alert you to ones that may 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 places for a plumbing disaster. You can initiate your inspection by moving all items under sinks to examine drain pipes and the underside of faucets for leaks. Your cabinets might offer 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 observe how fast the drain works. All clogs and leaks should be resolved straight away by a professional, and you won’t want to fall back 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 leave out your sump pump

Summer provides mild weather but also substantial rain in several sections of the country. Those rains could lead to floods in basements if your sump pump is not working correctly. A properly functioning unit minimizes the potential for mold and water damage that could appear even from minimal soil seepage throughout the year. The pump must be professionally reviewed, debris removed, the power cord checked, and most important, water added to the pit to watch how quickly it responds. If it stops or reacts slowly, it might need to be fixed.

4. Repair toilet leaks

Your water bill may be grateful for this task the most. A couple of basic inspections by a certified service professional could save you water and help you prevent a costly repair. Toilets frequently leak nearby the flapper within the tank, which is likely to wear down over time. A professional can also easily assess other parts inside the tank and surrounding the entire toilet as well. The components within the tank, in particular, are particularly inexpensive; so, if hoses or washers seem worn or the fill valve seems slow, all these components can be exchanged by a professional quickly and cost-effectively. And don’t forget, neglecting even the tiniest toilet repair today will only lead to bigger, more expensive problems in the future.

5. It’s a good opportunity to empty the water heater

Even though a water heater failure may not feel like it’s as dreadful in the summer as it can be during colder months, it’s a bother regardless. If you haven’t drained 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 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 professional plumber can complete this simple task for you while also addressing 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 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 to learn about our seasonal maintenance specials and repairs.

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