summer plumbing tips Archives

During the hot summer months, it is important to pay extra attention to the health of your plumbing system. The rise in temperature can have a significant impact on your pipes, fixtures, and overall plumbing infrastructure. By taking a few preventive measures, you can ensure that your plumbing system remains in optimal condition throughout the summer season. Here we will provide you with some valuable tips and guidance to maintain the health of your plumbing system during hot weather.

The Importance of Plumbing Maintenance

Before we delve into specific maintenance tips, it is crucial to understand why plumbing maintenance is vital, especially during the summer months. Plumbing systems are susceptible to certain issues that are more prevalent in hot weather conditions. By staying proactive and implementing preventive measures, you can avoid costly repairs, water wastage, and inconveniences caused by plumbing emergencies.

Check for Leaks

One of the primary initiatives you can take to maintain your plumbing system’s health during the summer months is to regularly check for leaks. Excessive heat can cause pipes to expand and contract, increasing the risk of leaks. Keep an eye out for any visible water leaks or damp areas around your pipes, faucets, or toilets. If you notice any leaks, address them promptly to prevent further damage.

Inspect Outdoor Faucets and Sprinkler Systems

Outdoor faucets and sprinkler systems are particularly susceptible to damage during hot weather. Constant exposure to sunlight and high temperatures can lead to cracks, leaks, or malfunctioning valves. Inspect all outdoor faucets and sprinkler heads for any signs of damage or leaks. Replace or repair any faulty outdoor faucet components to ensure proper functioning and prevent water wastage.

Protect Pipes from Sun Exposure

Direct exposure to sunlight can significantly impact the health of your plumbing system’s pipes. Inspect any exposed pipes, both indoors and outdoors, and consider insulating them with pipe sleeves or wraps. This insulation will shield the pipes from excessive heat and prevent them from expanding or bursting. Additionally, it will help maintain a consistent temperature of the water flowing through the pipes.

Be Mindful of Water Pressure

High water pressure can strain your plumbing system, leading to leaks, burst pipe emergencies, and other issues. During the hot summer months, it is essential to monitor your water pressure closely. Use a pressure gauge to measure the pressure and ensure it stays within the recommended range. If you notice unusually high pressure, consider installing a pressure regulator to protect your plumbing system from potential damage.

avoiding chemical drain cleaners is a good practice.

In the event of a clogged drain, resist the temptation to use chemical drain cleaners. These harsh chemicals can corrode your pipes and fixtures, causing long-term damage.

Maintain Proper Drainage

Effective drainage is critical for a healthy plumbing system. Inspect your drains regularly, particularly those in basement areas prone to flooding. Clear any debris, such as leaves or dirt, and ensure that the drains are free-flowing. Additionally, make sure your gutters and downspouts are clean and directed away from the foundation of your home to prevent water pooling around your property.

Avoid Chemical Drain Cleaners

In the event of a clogged drain, resist the temptation to use chemical drain cleaners. These harsh chemicals can corrode your pipes and fixtures, causing long-term damage. Instead, opt for natural drain cleaning methods such as using a plunger or a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. If the clog continues, it is advisable to contact a professional plumber who can safely unclog your drains for you.

Keep an Eye on Your Water Heater

Your water heater works harder during the summer months to meet your increased demand for cold water. It is crucial to inspect your water heater regularly and ensure it is functioning properly. Check for any signs of leaks, unusual noises, or inadequate hot water supply. Consider flushing the water heater tank to remove any sediment buildup and improve its efficiency.

Take Precautions During Vacation

If you plan to go on vacation during the summer months, it is essential to take some precautions to protect your plumbing system while you are away. Shut off the main water supply to prevent any potential leaks or bursts. Consider draining your pipes by opening all faucets and flushing toilets once the water supply is turned off. These preventative measures can save you from coming back to plumbing issues after your vacation.

As the temperature rises, it is crucial to prioritize the health of your plumbing system. By implementing the tips mentioned above, you can ensure that your plumbing remains in optimal condition during the warmer summer months. Regular checks, preventive measures, and staying mindful of water usage can go a long way in preventing costly repairs and maintaining the efficiency of your plumbing system. Remember, if you encounter any complex plumbing issues, it is always recommended to seek the assistance of a local plumber.

The plumbing in your home will typically get more use during the summer. People are at home more, the kids aren’t in school, house guests are more frequent, and there is an increase in water use. To keep the water in your home running properly, we’ve put together a list of 7 summer plumbing tips. It’s pretty easy to prevent most of the significant issues, and all it takes is a routine checkup. You can perform some of these tasks yourself, but we recommend getting professional plumbers to help you if you run into any serious problems.

Summer Plumbing Tips

1. Inspect your home for leaks

Water leaks can cause a lot of damage to your home if they are left untreated, which is why you should constantly be on the lookout for any leaks. An excellent way to do this is to turn off all the water in your home and see if the water meter is still running. Once everything is off, there should be no activity on the meter. Unfortunately, hidden water leaks can be hard to deal with. If you suspect that there is a leak in your home’s plumbing that you can’t find, you should hire Chicago Plumbing Experts to perform a water leak detection on your home.

Afterward, you can go from valve to valve and make sure they are all working and that you aren’t losing excess water due to dripping from faulty valves. Inspect the appliances in your home that use water and ensure they are all connected properly. An important summer plumbing tip is paying special attention to rubber hoses, like your washing machine. Rubber tends to deteriorate over time, and dry, warm weather can be incredibly taxing on hoses and rubber pipes.

If you are moving into a new home, you should be especially careful. First of all, you’ll have to deal with the stress of the move. Thankfully, local Chicago moving experts can assist you with moving in. After you have settled into your new home, you should do an inspection of the plumbing while it’s still summer. Your top priority should be finding any leaks. Remember that some condensation on the pipes is normal during the summer. This is due to the difference in the temperature of the cold water and the warm air.

2. Inspect your sprinkler system

After long periods without use, you should inspect the hoses and valves in your sprinkler system. We suggest doing this before the summer heat sets in, and you need to water your plants regularly. Chicago has a water conservation plan with the goal of limiting excessive outdoor water use. If you want to help your community adopt sustainable practices, you should ensure that your sprinkler system is functioning properly this summer.

Make sure your lawn sprinklers are in good shape for the summer.

3. Drain your water heater

Chicago often has pretty cold winters, and that’s the time when you need your home’s water heater the most. Unfortunately, that’s also the time when repairing it is the hardest. Summer is the perfect time to drain the water heater because if you turn off the heater during the winter, it can freeze while you are draining the water. Scale buildup will naturally happen over time, and you will occasionally need to drain and flush the water heater. It’s much easier to schedule a water heater repair during the summer since most people wait until the winter before realizing the water heater needs to be fixed.

4. Check the water pressure in your home

Summer is the time of year when people use more water for showering, washing the car, and watering the yard. Due to these factors, it’s vital to have good water pressure in your home. If the pressure is too high, it can cause a lot of stress to your faucets and appliances, which use water. Extremely high water pressure can also lead to pipes bursting.

On the other hand, low water pressure means that you will only have a slight trickle instead of getting a steady stream of water. Low water pressure can also indicate that you are facing other plumbing issues like scale buildup. This should be dealt with before your plumbing gets blocked.

5. Clean your garbage disposal unit

Don’t wait for the disposal to break down before you give it an inspection and clean it up. Even if your garbage disposal is still working, there may be small food buildups in the system. This kind of problem might be negligible during the winter, but once the temperatures rise, you will be in trouble.

Foul odors can come from your pipes and make living in your house unbearable. What’s worse is that small pieces of food which get stuck in your disposal unit can lead to your system getting completely backed up. Excess food also represents an attractive lure for insects and rodents. For these reasons, we suggest that you clean and repair your garbage disposal unit before it causes any significant issues. A persistent odor may indicate that the drains need to be cleaned professionally.

People sometimes put large pieces of food down the garbage disposal or toilet.

6. Check how the toilet is flushing

Most people know that you shouldn’t flush just anything down the toilet. Yet somehow, it seems like folks get especially creative during the summer. This is probably due to the larger number of barbecues and house parties that happen when the weather is better. Although it may seem obvious, a good summer plumbing tip is to put up a sign near your toilet reminding guests of which items shouldn’t be flushed. If it does get backed up, you can hire bathroom plumbers to unclog your toilet. Keep in mind that prevention is better than the cure, and have a talk with your guests and kids. Ask them to put any larger items in the bin instead of down the toilet.

7. Install a water saving showerhead

Installing any water-saving features in your home can help you cut down on the utility bill. Most of the water in your home is spent on showering. Therefore, having a water-saving showerhead will help you reduce the amount of water you use. The new showerhead will pay for itself within a matter of months, and after that, it will make you money through savings.

Install a showerhead that is efficient and saves water.

In summary

These 7 summer plumbing tips can help prepare your house for the warmer months. Once you know that your plumbing is working well, you will be able to enjoy many lazy summer afternoons without having to worry about what could go wrong with the water in your home.

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Maintaining Your Plumbing System’s Health During Hot Summer Months