5 Tips to Prep Your Homes Plumbing for Maximum Summer Fun
Summer is on the horizon, and that means barbecues, graduation parties, Fourth of July fun and other outdoor events are likely part of your seasonal plans. But before you nail down your summer calendar, you’ll want to make sure your plumbing system is ready for higher use.
A plumbing crisis 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 offered some beneficial plumbing maintenance tips. Handle them promptly to better assure your summer schedule will be as exciting as expected.

1. Test your hose spigot, sprinkler and irrigation systems
Emerging from winter and holiday indoor parties, it’s easy to overlook the plumbing around the outside of your home. But it’s actually a great place to start your plumbing maintenance and review. Worn sprinkler heads will have to be replaced, as they’ll soon be counted on more intensively to keep your grass green and your kids cool as they repeatedly dash 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 discover yourself, a professional can warn you of ones that can occur on the interior of the wall, too.
2. Clean and unclog bathroom and kitchen drains, check fixtures
Kitchens and bathrooms are the most expected places for a plumbing crisis. You can initiate your evaluation by removing all items under sinks to examine drain pipes and the underside of faucets for leaks. Your cabinets can present 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 quickly the drain operates. All clogs and leaks should be addressed promptly by a professional, and you won’t want to fall back 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 leave out your sump pump
Summer brings mild weather but also significant rain in a few regions of the country. Those rains might lead to floods in basements if your sump pump is not working correctly. A properly functioning unit decreases the potential for mold and water damage that may develop even from minimal soil seepage throughout the year. The pump must be professionally examined, debris cleared, the power cord checked, and most important, water put in to the pit to see how quickly it responds. If it stops or responds slowly, it might need to be serviced.

4. Fix toilet leaks
Your water bill may be grateful for this move the most. A few basic inspections by a certified service professional might save you water and help you prevent a costly repair. Toilets often leak nearby the flapper within the tank, which can wear down over time. A specialist can also easily examine other components within the tank and around the whole toilet as well. The components inside the tank, in particular, are quite budget friendly; so, if hoses or washers appear worn or the fill valve seems slow, all these components can be changed out by a professional quickly and cost-effectively. And remember, ignoring even the tiniest toilet repair today will only result in larger, more expensive complications in the future.
5. It’s a convenient opportunity to empty the water heater
Even though a water heater failure won’t always feel like it’s as unpleasant in the summer as it could 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 get it done before the summertime fun starts and showers are in high demand by guests. Water heaters collect minerals and grime at the tank’s base, which may result in rust and the need for a water heater repair or replacement. A professional plumber can accomplish this simple task for you while also taking care of other maintenance tasks.
“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 the highest level of summertime fun? You can also check out our website today for more info about our seasonal maintenance specials and repairs.
Disclaimer: Source: GET Creative, a division of USA TODAY