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 potentially part of your seasonal schedule. But before you finalize your summer calendar, you’ll want to ensure your plumbing system is equipped for high use.

A plumbing problem while having guests is a headache that will undoubtedly 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 beneficial plumbing maintenance tips. Tackle them promptly to better assure your summer satisfaction will be as fulfilling as planned.

1. Inspect your hose spigot, sprinkler and irrigation systems

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

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

Kitchens and bathrooms are your most likely places for a plumbing crisis. You can begin your review by clearing away all items below sinks to inspect drain pipes and the underside of faucets for leaks. Your cabinets may offer clues as well. Mildew, warped wood and old drip spots are indicators of leaks from either drain pipes or fixtures. Fill sinks with water and watch how fast the drain operates. All clogs and leaks should be dealt with straight away by a professional, and you won’t want to rely 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 brings mild weather but also heavy rain in a few regions of the country. Those rains might lead to floods in basements if your sump pump is not ready. A properly functioning unit minimizes the potential for mold and water damage that might occur even from mild soil seepage throughout the year. The pump must be professionally inspected, debris removed, the power cord looked at, and most important, water put in to the pit to observe how quickly it responds. If it quits or responds slowly, it might need to be fixed.

4. Resolve toilet leaks

Your water bill might be thankful for this task the most. A handful of quick inspections by a qualified service professional could save you water and help you avoid a costly repair. Toilets often leak around the flapper in the tank, which tends to wear out over time. A pro can also easily review other components within the tank and around the whole toilet as well. The parts inside the tank, in particular, are very budget friendly; so, if hoses or washers look worn or the fill valve seems slow, all these components can be swapped out by a professional quickly and cost-effectively. And remember, postponing even the tiniest toilet repair today will only lead to larger, more expensive problems in the future.

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

Even though a water heater problem might not feel like it’s as difficult in the summer as it would be during colder months, it’s a hassle all the same. If you haven’t drained 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 sediment at the tank’s base, which may result in rust and the need for a water heater repair or replacement. A qualified plumber can perform 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 the highest level of 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