5 Tips to Prep Your Homes Plumbing for Maximum Summer Fun

Summer is around the corner, and that equals barbecues, graduation parties, Fourth of July fun and other outdoor events are potentially part of your seasonal plans. But before you nail down a summer calendar, you’ll want to ensure your plumbing system is prepared for higher use.

A plumbing emergency while entertaining guests is an inconvenience that will surely weaken 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 important plumbing maintenance tips. Try them promptly to better assure your summer schedule will be as exciting as planned.

1. Check your hose spigot, sprinkler and irrigation systems

After winter and holiday indoor parties, it’s easy to neglect the plumbing on the outside of your home. But it’s really a good place to start your plumbing maintenance and assessments. Broken sprinkler heads will have to be replaced, as they’ll soon be counted on more intensively to keep your grass watered and your kids cool as they happily dash through them for a weekend refresher. Underground sprinkler and irrigation lines should also be assessed for leaks as well as your hose spigot too. While exterior hose spigot leaks can be obvious to recognize yourself, a professional can warn you of ones that can occur on the inside of the wall, too.

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

Kitchens and bathrooms are the most likely places for a plumbing catastrophe. You can begin your review by removing all items underneath sinks to inspect drain pipes and the underside of faucets for leaks. Your cabinets may provide 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 quickly the drain works. All clogs and leaks should be resolved 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 leave out your sump pump

Summer produces mild weather but also significant rain in some areas of the country. Those rains could produce floods in basements if your sump pump is not working correctly. A properly functioning pump minimizes the potential for mold and water damage that may appear even from trivial soil seepage throughout the year. The pump has to be professionally inspected, debris cleared, the power cord reviewed, and most important, water put in to the pit to watch how soon it responds. If it quits or responds slowly, it may need to be fixed.

4. Repair toilet leaks

Your water bill might appreciate this task the most. A handful of basic inspections by a certified service professional can save you water and help you avert a costly repair. Toilets usually leak near the flapper inside the tank, which will wear out over time. A specialist can also quickly evaluate other parts inside the tank and surrounding the whole toilet as well. The components within the tank, in particular, are particularly budget friendly; so, if hoses or washers feel worn or the fill valve seems slow, all these components can be exchanged by a professional quickly and cost-effectively. And remember, putting off even the most minor toilet repair today will only lead to bigger, more expensive issues in the future.

5. It’s a good time to flush the water heater

Even though a water heater breakdown won’t always seem like it’s as bad in the summer as it would be during colder months, it’s a bother regardless. If you haven’t flushed out your water heater this year, you’ll want to take action before the summertime fun is in full swing and showers are in high demand by guests. Water heaters amass minerals and other debris at the tank’s base, which may produce corrosion and the need for a water heater repair or replacement. A trained plumber can complete this simple task for you while also resolving 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 request a Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing technician to help get your home ready for the highest level of 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