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 excitement and other outdoor gatherings are probably part of your seasonal schedule. But before you finalize the summer calendar, you’ll want to make sure your plumbing system is ready for increased use.

A plumbing problem while hosting guests is an inconvenience that will surely stifle 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 shared some helpful plumbing maintenance tips. Tackle them promptly to better assure your summer fun will be as fulfilling as planned.

1. Check your hose spigot, sprinkler and irrigation systems

After winter and holiday indoor parties, it’s easy to overlook the plumbing surrounding the outside of your home. But it’s in fact an easy place to start your plumbing maintenance and assessments. Damaged sprinkler heads will need to be replaced, as they’ll soon be counted on more intensely to keep your grass watered and your kids cool as they happily splash through them for an afternoon refresher. Underground sprinkler and irrigation lines should also be evaluated for leaks as well as your hose spigot too. While outdoor hose spigot leaks might be obvious to spot 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 your most likely areas for a plumbing crisis. You can begin your review by moving all items beneath sinks to inspect drain pipes and the underside of faucets for leaks. Your cabinets might provide clues as well. Mildew, warped wood and old drip spots are symptoms of leaks from either drain pipes or fixtures. Fill sinks with water and watch how easily the drain operates. All clogs and leaks should be addressed straight away by a professional, and you won’t want to fall back on liquid agents as a long-term treatment 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 ignore your sump pump

Summer provides mild weather but also substantial rain in several regions of the country. Those rains may produce floods in basements if your sump pump is not ready. A properly functioning system reduces the potential for mold and water damage that could appear even from mild soil seepage at all times of year. The pump has to be professionally examined, debris cleared, the power cord reviewed, and most important, water put in to the pit to observe how soon it responds. If it stops or acts slowly, it might have to be fixed.

4. Fix toilet leaks

Your water bill will be thankful for this task the most. A couple of quick inspections by a certified service professional might save you water and help you prevent a costly repair. Toilets often leak nearby the flapper inside the tank, which is likely to break down over time. A specialist can also quickly examine other hardware inside the tank and surrounding the whole toilet as well. The pieces within the tank, in particular, are quite budget friendly; so, if hoses or washers look worn or the fill valve sounds slow, all these components can be swapped out by a professional quickly and cost-effectively. And remember, ignoring even the tiniest toilet repair today will only result in larger, more expensive problems in the future.

5. It’s a great chance to empty the water heater

Even though a water heater breakdown might not feel like it’s as unpleasant in the summer as it can be in colder months, it’s a hassle all the same. 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 amass minerals and sediment at the tank’s base, which may result in corrosion and the need for a water heater repair or replacement. A skilled plumber can accomplish this simple task for you while also taking care of 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.”

All set 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 visit our website today for details about our seasonal maintenance specials and repairs.

Disclaimer: Source: GET Creative, a division of USA TODAY