Summer is around the corner, and that equals barbecues, graduation parties, Fourth of July excitement and other outdoor gatherings are potentially part of your seasonal plans. But before you finalize a summer calendar, you’ll want to ensure your plumbing system is ready for high use.
A plumbing crisis while hosting guests is an annoyance that will undoubtedly impact your summer groove. So, the team at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, the nation’s trusted name for plumbing, heating and cooling repairs and maintenance, has provided some helpful plumbing maintenance tips. Tackle them promptly to better assure your summer satisfaction will be as exciting as planned.
1. Inspect your hose spigot, sprinkler and irrigation systems
After winter and holiday indoor parties, it’s easy to forget about the plumbing on the outside of your home. But it’s really an easy place to start your plumbing maintenance and inspections. Worn sprinkler heads will have to be replaced, as they’ll soon be counted on more intensively to keep your grass healthy and your kids cool as they happily dash through them for an afternoon refresher. Underground sprinkler and irrigation lines should also be reviewed for leaks as well as your hose spigot too. While outdoor 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, inspect fixtures
Kitchens and bathrooms are the most expected spaces for a plumbing catastrophe. You can begin your inspection by removing all items beneath sinks to check drain pipes and the underside of faucets for leaks. Your cabinets might supply 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 monitor how easily the drain works. All clogs and leaks should be sorted out promptly 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. “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 areas of the country. Those rains may lead to floods in basements if your sump pump is unprepared. A properly functioning unit decreases the potential for mold and water problems that might occur even from minor soil seepage at all times of year. The pump must be professionally reviewed, debris cleared, the power cord checked, and most important, water added to the pit to see how easily it responds. If it quits or responds slowly, it may need to be fixed.
4. Address toilet leaks
Your water bill may appreciate this move the most. A couple of simple inspections by a certified service professional might save you water and help you prevent a costly repair. Toilets frequently leak nearby the flapper within the tank, which is likely to wear out over time. A specialist can also easily evaluate other hardware within the tank and surrounding the entire toilet as well. The pieces inside 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 replaced by a professional quickly and cost-effectively. And keep in mind, putting off even the tiniest toilet repair today will only become larger, more expensive complications in the future.
5. It’s a good chance to drain the water heater
Even though a water heater breakdown won't always feel like it’s as dreadful in the summer as it can be in colder months, it’s a hassle nonetheless. If you haven’t flushed out 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 accumulate minerals and other debris at the tank’s base, which may produce rust and the need for a water heater repair or replacement. A trained plumber can perform this simple task for you while also addressing 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.”
Eager to request a Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning technician to help get your home ready for optimum summertime fun? You can also visit our website today for details about our seasonal maintenance specials and repairs.
Disclaimer: Source: GET Creative, a division of USA TODAY